Watch: Sachin Tendulkar applauds emotional ESA day initiative as 20,000 children attend MI vs RR clash at Wankhede — IPL 2026

The ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League is now reaching its final stage, and the race for the IPL 2026 playoffs has become extremely intense. The Mumbai Indians were among the first teams to be knocked out of the playoff race this season. Despite their disappointing campaign, the franchise has continued to remain in the spotlight throughout the tournament for several reasons, both on and off the field.

From the controversies surrounding captain Hardik Pandya to several viral moments involving players and their personal lives, the Mumbai Indians have constantly grabbed media attention this season. However, this time the franchise is making headlines for a much more emotional and inspiring reason. Every year, ESA Day transforms the Wankhede Stadium into something much bigger than just a cricket venue. On Sunday, May 24, during the clash between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals, more than 20,000 children from underserved backgrounds, tribal communities, and villages across Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Gujarat — including over 200 children with special needs — will attend the match as part of the Education and Sports for All (ESA) initiative in partnership with Reliance Foundation.

The franchise officially announced the initiative through a special video featuring legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. The emotional campaign celebrates hope, inclusion, education, and the unifying power of sport, and the video has already started going viral across social media platforms. Watch the viral moment here:

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"A special game for all of us" — What Sachin Tendulkar said about ESA day will give you goosebumps

Speaking before the game, Sachin said, "The ESA Match at Wankhede is a special game for all of us. You don't often get to play in front of a stadium full of children cheering for you — that energy is truly unique. I still remember watching a match at Wankhede as a child in 1983, and the memories stayed with me forever. I'm sure these children will carry these moments with them for life, too."

Those words say everything. This is not just another IPL match. For Sachin, ESA Day connects two things he loves most — cricket and children — at the very ground where his own love for the game was born. And it is not just Sachin who feels this way. The entire city of Mumbai comes together every year to make this day possible. Players, fans, volunteers, NGOs, and partner organisations — everyone shows up under one shared purpose that the Mumbai Indians simply call #OneFamily.

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The scale of support behind the scenes tells the full story. Over 500 BEST and private buses bring children from across Mumbai and Maharashtra to the stadium. More than 2,000 volunteers are on the ground. Medical teams, police personnel, and traffic officers are all in place. Over 1,00,000 food boxes are prepared. Every detail is taken care of — so that every child walks into Wankhede feeling safe, welcome, and completely free to enjoy the day. For most of these children, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. And just like a young Sachin watching his first match at Wankhede in 1983 — these memories will last forever.

20,000 children, 100 visually impaired Kids & 200 with special needs — The heartwarming story behind MI vs RR match

Every year, ESA Day turns Wankhede Stadium into something much bigger than a cricket ground. This Sunday, May 24, as the Mumbai Indians take on the Rajasthan Royals, over 20,000 children from underserved backgrounds, tribal communities, and villages across Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Gujarat will fill the stands. Among them are 200+ children with special needs — and this year, for the very first time, 100 visually impaired children from the National Association for the Blind (NAB), each accompanied by a hearing buddy, will also be part of the experience.

This remarkable initiative is envisioned by Mrs Nita M. Ambani, who remains the heart and driving force behind ESA and several other life-changing programmes in sport and education across India. Under her vision, Reliance Foundation and Mumbai Indians have consistently used cricket as a platform to do something simple but powerful — give children who rarely get opportunities the chance to dream bigger. ESA does not just bring children to a stadium. It brings hope, inclusion, and the belief that sport can genuinely change a life.

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And when these children finally walk through the gates of Wankhede, something magical happens. The loudest cheers inside the stadium are not for boundaries or wickets — they are for dreams. For one special afternoon, the energy of the IPL blends with the pure joy of thousands of young faces, transforming one of cricket's most iconic venues into a celebration of community, resilience, and togetherness. Over the past 16 years, ESA has reached more than 29 million children across 28 states in India — and today, 20,000 more will get their moment.

Out of the Playoffs, But Not Out of Heart — MI's Last Home Game of IPL 2026 Belongs to 20,000 Kids

The Mumbai Indians have had a season to forget. Hardik Pandya's side has won just four of their twelve matches and cannot finish any higher than ninth in the points table. Their playoff dream is long over. But on Monday, May 25, at 3:30 PM IST, none of that will matter — because MI's final home game of IPL 2026 against the Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede is about something far more important than points and rankings.

For Rajasthan Royals, however, this game is anything but a dead rubber. Qualification for the playoffs is still very much in their own hands. The 2008 champions know that a win against MI tomorrow afternoon will confirm their place in the top four — and they do not need any other team to do them a favour. RR will arrive at Wankhede fully motivated, and the two sides have a score to settle too. Earlier this season, the Royals beat MI by 27 runs in a rain-affected game in Guwahati — and MI will want to make sure the reverse fixture ends differently.

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But whatever happens on the scoreboard tomorrow, MI's IPL 2026 season will be remembered for something that has nothing to do with cricket results. With 20,000 children filling the Wankhede stands for ESA Day, this final home game is the most meaningful match of their entire campaign. A season that brought very little joy on the field will end with the loudest, most joyful crowd of the year — and for once, that is far more important than the result.