Restaurant Cricket League 2025 launched

The Restaurant Cricket League (RCL), supported by Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is looking to redefine the role of cricket from being a source of entertainment to a driver of societal change.

The third edition of this national level tournament scheduled to be held from February 17 to 22, 2025 at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi, will be an amalgamation of sports, food and social service demonstrating the transformative power of sport for collective action, the organisers have said. Its main objectives are to raise awareness about food security, hunger eradication, sustainable food practices & collaboration for impact.

The trophy of RCL 2025 was unveiled at a press conference held at the Constitution Club of Delhi on February 10.

Former Union Minister & Chairman Governing Council, RCL - Rajiv Pratap Rudy, former India cricketer and league director Atul Wassan, Indian Federation of Culinary Associations (IFCA) President - Chef Manjit Singh Gill, Managing Director of Bikanervala Foods Pvt. Ltd Shyam Sundar Aggarwal, and RCL founders Arvind Kumar and Abhishek Bhatnagar, Anand Gupta, Managing Director of Nathu Sweets, were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Rudy said that RCL is inspired by the government-backed 'Hunger Free Bharat Mission'.

RCL founder Arvind Kumar informed that eight teams are participating in the 2025 edition of the league supported by reputed Indian brands. Representing the diverse culinary culture of India, Team Andhra Pradesh Mirchies is represented by Molecule Air Bar, Team Delhi Daawats is represented by Bikanervala, Team Gujarat Dhoklas is represented by Balaji Wafers, Team Jammu & Kashmir Kahwas is represented by Nathu Sweets, Team Maharashtra Modak is represented by Mansh Bakelogy, Team Rajasthan Daal Baati is represented by Jaipur Adda, Team Uttar Pradesh Kachauris is represented by the Constitution Club of India, and Team Uttarakhand Gulthiaz is represented by Belle-La Monde Hotels.

RCL founder Abhishek Bhatnagar said that two special charity matches will be organised on February 17, featuring celebrity chefs & leading social media influencers highlighting the shared responsibility of all Indians to address critical issues like hunger and food wastage. By turning every boundary into a step toward a better tomorrow, 100 nutritious meals will be thoughtfully provided to those in need for every 10 runs scored at RCL.

Highlighting that food insecurity and malnutrition are among the most serious challenges facing the world today, Rudy said that RCL 2025 will create a powerful legacy - one where cricket not only entertains but also empowers, unites, and drives meaningful change for a better and sustainable future.

The league is supported by 17 socially influential personalities including Olympic medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, celebrity chef and Master-Chef India winner Chef Shipra Khanna and 36 popular social media influencers.

Together with its' Social Impact Partner The Adi Bodh Foundation, RCL is dedicated to the Hunger Free Bharat Mission.

RCL founders Arvind Kumar and Abhishek Bhatnagar jointly stated that The Restaurant Cricket League (RCL) is an annual men's T10 cricket league founded in 2023 with an aim to raising awareness on food security, reduce wastage & facilitate creation of food banks - ensuring free access to safe, hygienic & adequate food for the needy sections of the society.

Tags : Restaurant Cricket League, Cricket, Atul Wassan, Nathu Sweets, Bikanervala Foods, Hunger Free Bharat Mission, food security