Kolkata’s team plants trees for every run scored

The 2025 edition of 'Runs to Roots', a green initiative by Kolkata’s premier T20 team, was launched this week with a tree planting ceremony at Banabitan Biodiversity Park. Team co-owner Juhi Chawla-Mehta, along with players Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Anukul Roy, planted the first saplings of the season.

The initiative, now in its second year under the 'Runs to Roots' name, pledges to plant one tree for every run scored by the team throughout the ongoing T20 season. Last year, this commitment translated into 2,667 new trees — one for each run scored — across the region.

What began in 2017 as a six-for-a-sapling concept has since grown into a broader, season-long campaign that directly links cricketing milestones to ecological impact. With every boundary, single, and quick double, the team is aiming for greener cities and cleaner air.

“Each sapling is a step toward a more sustainable tomorrow”
“Cricket has always brought people together, and with 'Runs to Roots', we’re using that shared passion to give back to the planet,” said Juhi Chawla-Mehta, co-owner and long-time advocate for environmental causes. “Each sapling is a step towards cleaner air, healthier communities, and a more sustainable tomorrow.”

Echoing the sentiment, Venky Mysore, the team’s CEO, said: “Our philosophy is rooted in responsibility. We want our sporting success to leave a positive, long-term impact beyond the field. This initiative is about converting runs into roots — literally.”

Urban Green, Growing Clean
The focus this season is once again on protecting and expanding urban green spaces — starting with sites like Banabitan and extending to community spaces across the region. The team plans to share regular updates, allowing fans to track the number of trees planted as the run tally rises through the season.

In tying performance with purpose, Kolkata’s home team is reminding fans that every cheer from the stands can also echo through forests and parks — growing green, one run at a time.


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