Putting to rest all speculations about Team India's new away jersey at the World Cup, Nike unveiled the 'orange and blue' away kit on Friday. The Men in Blue will turn up in the new colours on June 30 against England at Edgbaston.
Fan-made designs have been doing the rounds on social media ever since it was announced that Team India will be donning an 'away' kit for the first time in its history, at this World Cup.
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“The ODI and away kit designs launched this year are inspired by the young new generation of India and the fearless spirit of the national teams,” Nike said in a statement.
“The new total orange and blue coloured away kits also moves away from a traditional silhouette to using new innovative cut lines alongside dynamic material combinations to emphasise a multi-dimensional slash design and movement approach.”
As per the International Cricket Council’s match day clothing regulation, India’s kit colours are blue (alternate, orange). Afghanistan’s will be blue (and Red). Afghanistan will be wearing red jerseys against India at the Hampshire Bowl, Southampton on Saturday. Sri Lanka, whose official colours are also blue will be wearing yellow against India at Leeds, Headingley on July 6.
All team clothing has to be approved by the ICC prior to the tournament.
“Similar to the recently launched ODI kit, the away kit is designed to enhance dynamic movements and modern requirement of the sport and the athletes. While the new engineered mesh and strategically placed sweat zones help enhanced breathability for the team on the field, new placket construction, the flex crest, garment cut angles and slash taping all add to making the new jersey lighter, more breathable and helps the athletes be agile on the field,” the statement further added.
In the past, during 2009-10, the Indian team had a dash of orange on the shoulders, sleeves and front. Indian national teams in other sports like football and hockey have had white and red as their alternate jersey colours.
Interestingly, some opposition members had slammed the BJP-led NDA government for “saffronising” the Team India jersey. However, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera downplayed it saying, “The colour of the jersey worn by players is decided by the BCCI and not the government. This is a needless controversy.”
