Cricket has often been used in India to support social causes and spread important messages. The fourth season of the Restaurant Cricket League (RCL Season 4) is taking this idea a step further by creating a direct link between runs scored on the cricket field and meals for people in need.
Like the previous season, RCL Season 4 will combine cricket with food and social responsibility. However, this time, the organisers have introduced a clear model through which the runs scored during the matches will contribute to a food-related initiative.
The key idea for this season is ’10 Runs = 100 Meals’. Under this model, every 10 runs scored during the tournament will be linked to meals for 100 people.
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RCL is being organised in association with the Hunger Free Bharat campaign. As a result, the tournament will have two numbers to follow during the matches: the regular cricket score and the corresponding meal count generated through the runs.
RCL Season 4: Key Details
| Details | Information |
| Event | Restaurant Cricket League Season 4 |
| Season | 4th Edition |
| Dates | October 22-25, 2026 |
| Venue | Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi |
| Total Matches | 16 |
| Special Model | 10 Runs = 100 Meals |
| Estimated Meals | 45,000+ |
| Social Initiative | Hunger Free Bharat |
| Key Message | Cricket against hunger and food waste |
How Will RCL’s 10 Runs = 100 Meals Model Work?
In a normal cricket match, runs are used to measure a batter’s contribution and a team’s total score. RCL Season 4 is giving those runs an additional purpose by connecting them with the campaign to provide meals to people in need.
Under the RCL model, every 10 runs will represent 100 meals. For example, if the two teams together score 300 runs in a match, that performance could be linked to 3,000 meals.
This means a high-scoring match will also increase the meal count. As more runs are added to the scoreboard, the number associated with the food initiative will continue to rise.
The initiative also builds on the work done in the previous season. According to the organisers, more than 2.16 lakh meals had been distributed through the campaign by April 2026. A commitment for 2.30 lakh meals had also been made, while the campaign claims that more than 3 lakh people have been impacted.
What Is the Schedule for RCL Season 4?
The RCL Season 4 schedule has been designed across four days, with 16 matches planned in total.
The tournament will begin on October 22. The first three days will feature 12 league-stage matches, with four games scheduled each day.
The first match of the day will start at 10 AM, followed by the second match at 1:30 PM. The third game is scheduled for 5 PM, while the final match of the day will take place at 8 PM.
The organisers expect around 300 runs to be scored in an average match. If that estimate is achieved, one match could represent around 3,000 meals under the RCL model.
With four matches scheduled on the opening day, the estimated contribution could reach around 12,000 meals.
The meal count will also be tracked live during the matches on the basis of the runs scored. According to the organisers, Hunger Free Bharat will verify the figures. This will allow viewers to follow both the cricket score and the meal count during the games.
Semi-Finals and Final Will Also Add to the Meal Count
The tournament will reach its final stage on October 25. The top four teams will compete in two semi-finals in the morning, followed by the final at night.
Celebrity matches are also planned before the title match.
The runs scored in these matches will continue to be added to the overall meal count of RCL Season 4. So, the final will have importance beyond deciding the tournament champion. The runs scored in the last stage will also contribute to the overall number of meals linked to the initiative.
The organisers have set an estimate of more than 45,000 meals for the entire tournament. However, the final figure will depend on the number of runs actually scored across all the matches.
The model also ensures that runs scored by a team remain useful even after that team’s tournament journey comes to an end. A team may be eliminated from the competition, but the runs scored by its players will continue to be counted towards the food initiative.
RCL Moves Into Its Fourth Season After Three Editions
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RCL began its journey in 2023. During its first three seasons, the league tried to use cricket as a platform to highlight issues related to food availability and food waste.
The fourth edition is now taking that idea forward through a more clearly defined model.
RCL Season 4 is scheduled to take place from October 22 to 25, 2026, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. The four-day event will not be limited to cricket, as programmes related to food and culture are also planned.
The venue will also have different food stalls, giving visitors an opportunity to enjoy food and entertainment along with the cricket matches.
Farmers, Chefs, Police Personnel and Other Communities to Take Part
RCL Season 4 is also trying to bring together people from different sections of society. The tournament is not being limited to celebrities or people who are regularly associated with cricket.
According to the organisers, participants will include farmers, chefs and Delhi Police personnel, among others.
The Delhi Police’s Sewa Warriors team has already joined the tournament. According to the official information, the team will support the objective of Hunger Free Bharat and help spread awareness about food waste.
The tournament will also feature the Indian women’s deaf cricket team and a team representing the transgender community. A Nepal-based team led by chef Ratna Tamang is also expected to participate.
Rakesh Bedi to Lead Superstars 11
The entertainment industry will also have a presence in RCL Season 4, with actor Rakesh Bedi set to captain Superstars 11.
The team will bring together personalities from the film and entertainment industry as part of the event.
At the announcement of the RCL season, several film personalities, including Raza Murad, Sunil Pal, Bindu Dara Singh, Shahbaz Khan and Arun Bakshi, were present.
Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan is also associated with the initiative. He believes cricket is usually measured through runs, records and averages, but RCL gives those runs a different purpose by connecting them with meals for people who need them.
The entertainment team will represent the celebrity side of RCL Season 4. However, it will only play an exhibition match during the event.
Teams Taking Part in RCL Season 4
| Team | Category |
| Roti Warriors | Transpersons |
| Poshan Warriors | Farmers |
| Sewa Warriors | Delhi Police |
| Hunger Free Titans | Indian Deaf Cricket Association |
| Himalayan Kings | Chef Ratna Bahadur Tamang |
| Sankalp Heroes | DPS Indirapuram |
| Annadaan Avengers | Influencers |
| Prasad Panthers | Constitution Club of India |
| Nagar Free Blasters | The Indian Federation of Culinary Associations |
| Bhojan Daredevils | – |
Why This Cricket-Based Initiative Matters
Looking at RCL Season 4 only as a celebrity cricket tournament would not tell the complete story. While film personalities are part of the event, the tournament is also bringing together farmers, chefs, police personnel, deaf cricket players, and members of other communities.
Through this approach, RCL is trying to use cricket as a platform that can bring different sections of society together.
The addition of the food initiative gives the tournament a social purpose that connects directly with an issue faced by people in everyday life.
A cricket run may remain on the scoreboard for only a few hours, but if that run also contributes towards providing food to someone in need, its impact can continue beyond the match.
For RCL Season 4, the real measure of success will be how effectively the runs scored on the field are converted into meaningful action off it.
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