Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, the current and former India captains, and Harmanpreet Kaur, the India Women T20I captain, were among those present at the launch of the new jersey India will sport for the World Cup 2019 on Friday, March 1.
Ajinkya Rahane, Jemimah Rodrigues and Prithvi Shaw were among the others donning the new kit during the launch, on the eve of India’s ODI series against Australia. The men’s team will walk out in the new jersey for the first time during the five-match series.
Among the features of the new kit is a tribute to the World Cup-winning Indian sides of the past. The dates, scores and and the GPS coordinates of India’s three World Cup triumphs – the 50-over victories in 1983 and 2011, and the inaugural World T20 win in South Africa in 2007 – are emblazoned on the back collar.
The jersey may be new but the feeling isn’t. Always a special feeling to wear the India colours. #NewJersey #MenInBlue pic.twitter.com/QN1Emi6mLL
— ajinkyarahane88 (@ajinkyarahane88) March 2, 2019
Kohli said that the new kit was testament to, and inspired by, the team’s style of play. “Similar to millions of Indians across the country, this team embodies a fearless spirit that we truly believe in and that’s what the world sees every time we step into the field,” he said.
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“Over the years, our cricket has evolved, the way we approach games and embrace situations are different, but what stands out is the confidence in our individual skills and our commitment to succeed as a team. This new team kit is a testament to our style of play, it is inspired by us and the new India.”
Dhoni was all praise for the comfort afforded by the fabric. “You may have many designs, but ultimately, it’s the fabric that makes you feel comfortable,” he was quoted as saying by Quint.
Presenting #TeamIndia‘s new jersey
The new kits have arrived! As the Men in Blue put on the revamped jerseys for the first time, we take you behind the scenes to know what’s changed – by @28anand
??https://t.co/pvS2ciEuqz pic.twitter.com/3oMc6aKBBo
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2019
“Wearing it right now, it feels so comfortable, like you’re not wearing anything at all. It doesn’t weigh you down.”
The new jersey received largely negative reactions on social media from fans who felt it paled in comparison to jerseys worn by past World Cup teams, particularly the ones in 1992 and 2003.
