MI vs LSG IPL 2025: What is ESA Day? Mumbai Indians & Reliance Foundation's Special Initiative

Add as a preferred source on Google

Mumbai Indians (MI) will mark this season's Education and Sports for All (ESA) Day on Sunday (April 27) when they host Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in match 45 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The five-time champions MI started the season on a familiar note as slow starters, losing four in the first five outing before going on a four-match winning streak. Now, they will hope to make it five wins on the trot when they face LSG on a special day, ESA Day, a tradition which began in 2023.

Since the start of IPL, several teams have reserved a day in the season as special days like Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. RCB played one of their games as go green day, while Royals will play a game as all pink day.

Mumbai Indians has celebrated ESA Day since 2023, but have been support of the cause from a very long time. So, what does the day mean and what do the franchise do on that day?

What is ESA Day?

The day is a part of the Reliance Foundation (RIL's CSR arm) and Mumbai Indians' initiative Education and Sports for All (ESA). On this day, MI invites kids from NGOs across the city to watch a live game and cheer on their favourite cricketers.

Mumbai Indians have been supporting sports and education for under privileged children through the (ESA) since 2010, under the umbrella of Reliance Foundation. This year, Mumbai Indians will open its doors to around 19,000 children from diverse NGOS supported by Reliance Foundation across Mumbai, including 200 children with special needs, cheering for their favourite cricketers.

Before Mumbai Indians take on Lucknow Super Giants in Match 45 of the Indian Premier League this Sunday, Mrs Nita Ambani had a message for the MI players. “People who have been with MI know our next game is very special, we have underprivileged children coming, and the energy is really special. So please, put up your best show for them." Mrs Ambani said as quoted on the MI website.

"They wait for years in line to get to come and see one match. We give them food parcels – from the time they board the bus till the time they come here and they go back, so there’s four meals a day that we provide for.”

She also recalled a moving experience from a past ESA Day: “I was sitting in the stands with all of them, and this girl wasn’t eating much. She was picking on her food. I asked her why, and she said, 'I’m saving it for my brother, because he’s never tasted cake in his life.’

These are the things that we want to support. We want to inspire these kids, that in spite of coming from different backgrounds, you can achieve wonders.”

Urging the players to make the day extra special, she added: “This is a very special game me and for all of you who have been a part of this for many years. You can be the inspiration for these children and show them that they can be whatever they dream to be.”