In a significant leap forward, three-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have kick started the 2026 edition of their flagship initiative, ‘Runs to Roots’, with co-owner Juhi Chawla-Mehta pledging 10 trees for every run scored during this edition of the franchise-based league. Juhi Chawla-Mehta inaugurated the environmental responsibility drive with a plantation event organised at Subhas Sarovar Lake Park in Kolkata, joining hands with NGO ‘Grow Billion Trees’. With KKR pledging 10 trees per run scored during TATA IPL 2026, it’s a tenfold increase from the previous seasons. Speaking on the initiative, environmental advocate Juhi Chawla-Mehta said, “Cricket has always been more than a sport in our country – it is a way of life for millions and has the potential to create an indelible impact. At KKR, we truly believe that sport has the power to drive meaningful action. With ‘Runs to Roots’, we’re harnessing the incredible energy of fans to create a lasting impact for our future. We’re incredibly proud of how this initiative has continued to evolve and has inspired people over the years.” KKR’s sustainability journey has evolved steadily over the years – from the ‘Plant a 6’ campaign in 2017 to the more expansive ‘Runs to Roots’ movement. From planting over 6,000 trees in the ecologically sensitive Sundarbans to adding 4,669 trees across the city in just over the past two seasons of IPL, the franchise has been scaling its ambition to deliver deeper, measurable impact. In addition to this, KKR’s Smart Waste Management initiative at Eden Gardens and beyond, continues to set the benchmark for sustainable sporting ecosystems, having successfully recycled 53,858 kgs of waste over the past two years. “At KKR, we are committed to scaling ‘Runs to Roots’ into one of cricket’s most impactful sustainability programmes. This season, by pledging 10 trees per run, we are significantly raising the bar – both in ambition and execution. The momentum from planting close to 5,000 trees in the past two seasons gives us a strong foundation to deliver meaningful, measurable impact in 2026,” added KKR chief executive officer Venky Mysore.
