Rajasthan Royals launch ‘Pink Pitch’ initiative to empower college students across India
Kula Pradip Bhagawati

Royals Sports Group-owned franchise Rajasthan Royals alredy unveiled their groundbreaking initiative, ‘Pink Pitch’, designed to engage and inspire the youth of India.
Through this program, Rajasthan Royals aim to provide college students with unique opportunities to contribute to real-world challenges, think big, and be rewarded for their innovative ideas.
This initiative is part of the Royals’ broader mission to transform society through cricket, and cricket through innovation, by nurturing the next generation of leaders.

India boasts an estimated 38.5 million college students within this age group, according to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE). ‘Pink Pitch’ will tap into this immense potential by integrating the Royals’ presence into college festivals, where students will engage in fun, interactive activities like virtual batting games, spin-the-wheel contests, and exclusive merchandise giveaways.
However, beyond these activations, the program is designed to offer students something far more impactful: the chance to contribute their ideas to real-world business challenges through a case study competition.
The case study competition will present students with practical problems faced by the franchise, such as discovering the next big revenue stream, improving the fan experience, or scaling foundation efforts to help communities. By tackling these challenges, students will develop a solution-oriented mindset, equipping them with skills that go beyond the classroom and preparing them for future success in the professional world. This initiative encourages participants to think critically, innovate, and present solutions that have the potential to leave a lasting impact on society.
Jake Lush McCrum, Chief Executive Officer, Rajasthan Royals shared, “We firmly believe in the transformative power of youth to drive positive change through innovation. ‘Pink Pitch’ goes beyond merely engaging with students; it’s about creating opportunities for them to think big, solve real-world challenges, and gain recognition for their ideas. Our goal is to offer a platform they can leverage to make a tangible impact, whether in cricket, business, or society. By empowering these young minds to contribute and be heard, we aim to inspire a generation of leaders who will shape the future of our sport and communities.”
The competition is open to both graduate colleges and business schools, with winners at the national level being awarded cash prizes and Rajasthan Royals merchandise. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to engage with senior management at the franchise, giving them exposure to the inner workings of the sports industry. The initiative not only rewards innovative thinking but also provides recognition, with students having the chance to see their ideas implemented by the Royals in real-life scenarios.
‘Pink Pitch’ represents Rajasthan Royals’ commitment to fostering a new generation of leaders who can think boldly, act decisively, and contribute to societal transformation from a young age. By offering these opportunities, the Royals are empowering students to grow both personally and professionally, while also providing a platform for their voices and ideas to shape the future.
The first-ever ‘Pink Pitch’ activation program was alredy held in IIT Delhi’s annual cultural festival Rendezvous, which was taking place from 5th to 8th October 2024 at their campus in New Delhi. Program aims to inspire and reward innovative thinking among the youth, offering real-world challenges and a platform for societal impact.

Rajasthan Royals were the champions of the inaugural 2008 season and are one of the 10 teams competing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise completed a major shareholding restructure in 2021, with Emerging Media having the majority ownership of the franchise with support from new co-investor RedBird Capital Partners.
Rajasthan Royals has announced the appointment of former Indian captain and coach Rahul Dravid as Head Coach on a multi-year contract. The former Royals’ captain and coach spent five seasons with the franchise from 2011 to 2015, and will commence with the team immediately, working with Royals’ Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara to implement the franchise’s overall cricketing strategy.
51-year-old Dravid, who is inarguably one of the greatest batters to have represented India, began his coaching career with the Royals back in 2014 when he transitioned from serving as the captain to being the team’s mentor. Since then, Dravid has been involved in various capacities with the National Cricket Academy (NCA), the Indian Men’s U19 and the Indian Men’s Senior team, leading the nation to the top of the Test, ODI and T20I rankings during his tenure.
The Indian legend, who recently helped Indian Men’s team lift the coveted ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, returns to the franchise after nine years. Welcoming Dravid back to the Royals Family, Jake Lush McCrum, Chief Executive Officer, Royals Sports Group, said, “We are delighted to be bringing Rahul back to the franchise. His exceptional coaching capabilities are evident with the transformation he’s driven in Indian cricket.
He also has a deep connection to the franchise, and we’ve seen that passion come through in all our conversations. His expertise of getting the best out of both younger and experienced talent, along with the values with which he operates, align seamlessly with our franchise, and just a quick skim of social media tells me the fans will be excited to see him back with us.”
“Rahul has already got to work with Kumar (Sangakkara) and the rest of the team, as we prepare for this exciting new period for the franchise starting with IPL retention and the auction just around the corner,” added Jake Lush McCrum.

Expressing his thoughts upon his return to the Royals, Rahul Dravid said, “I am pleased to be returning to the franchise I have called ‘home’ for a number of years in the past. After the World Cup, I feel it’s the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that.
A lot of hard work and deliberations from Manoj, Jake, Kumar and the team has gone into the progression that the franchise has made over the past few years. It’s an exciting opportunity for us to take this team to the next level given the kind of talent and resources we have at our disposal and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Manoj Badale, Lead Owner, Rajasthan Royals, also welcomed Dravid to the franchise. He said, “Rahul has a long and deep history with the Royals. It is where he started his coaching journey. We are delighted to be bringing him back to the franchise. Rahul Dravid has few parallels in global sport, both for what he has achieved as a former player and a coach, but also for what he represents as a human being.”
“We have made fantastic progress in our on-field performance over the past few years, but there is still lots to learn, improve and grow. His return will, hopefully, further accelerate our progress and will be a great boost for everyone involved, most importantly our players and our fans,” Badale added.
Royals’ Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara, who assumed the role of Head Coach for the past four seasons, welcomed Dravid to the franchise, saying, “Rahul is one of the greatest players to have played the game, but what he has achieved over the past decade as a coach is extraordinary. The characteristics that he possesses as a coach to nurture talent but also enable them to consistently perform at the highest level, will allow the Rajasthan Royals to further challenge for the title. I’ve already had some meaningful conversations with him about his vision for this team, and he is looking forward to delivering the results for the Royals.”
Rajasthan Royals appoint Vikram Rathour as Batting Coach also. The 55-year-old former India international will reunite with Rahul Dravid as he takes on his new role at the Royals.
Rathour brings extensive experience, having played six Tests and seven ODIs for India before transitioning into a highly respected coaching role. Known for his technical acumen, Rathour served as India’s Batting Coach from 2019 to 2023, playing a key role in shaping the performances of emerging Indian batters. His tenure saw him guide players like Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul among others, through crucial phases of their development.
Prior to his India role, Rathour was a national selector and also coached Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in domestic cricket.
Welcoming Rathour to the franchise, Rahul Dravid, Head Coach, Rajasthan Royals, said, “Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanor, and deep understanding of Indian conditions make him a perfect fit for the Royals. Together, we’ve built a strong rapport, guiding India to key successes, and I’m thrilled to reunite with him. His ability to nurture young talent and elevate players’ potential will be invaluable as we aim to further strengthen our squad and continue building a world-class team here at Rajasthan Royals.”
Vikram Rathour, who has coached multiple domestic and international teams, expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s a privilege to be part of the Royals family. The opportunity to work again with Rahul, and now with a talented group of young cricketers, is hugely exciting. I look forward to contributing to the team’s vision and working toward our goal of developing top-class players for the Royals and for India which can help in winning championships.”
KULAPRADIP BHAGAWATI WAS THE FIRST JOURNALIST FROM THE NORTHEAST WHO COVERED THE THREE BIG SPORTS EVENT LIKE OLYMPIC (2012 , London), FIFA WORLD CUP (2014, Brazil) AND CRICKET WORLD CUP (2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2023).

Mahabahu.com is an Online Magazine with collection of premium Assamese and English articles and posts with cultural base and modern thinking. You can send your articles to editor@mahabahu.com / editor@mahabahoo.com (For Assamese article, Unicode font is necessary) Images from different sources.