MUMBAI: The Indian cricket team will sport a deeper shade of blue in the upcoming ODI series in New Zealand.
Amidst much glitz and hype, Team India’s apparel sponsor Nike unveiled the new jersey, designed by Tarun Tahiliani, for the players in Mumbai on Wednesday. While the new blue depicts boldness, something that MS Dhoni’s side exudes, the tricolour patch on the right side of the jersey is also a darker shade now.
Made of Dri-Fit fabric that allows the skin to breathe freely, the colour of the new jersey was described by BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi as “embodying aggression and fearlessness, indicating that we have zero tolerance for our opponents.” Team India captain MS Dhoni’s view: “the new outfit won’t get dirty easily."
Bolder shade,braver side
So which is the snazziest of ‘em all, the green and gold of Ricky Ponting & Co that has replaced the Aussies’ traditional canary ye llow or the maroon flanked by grey, yellow and green of the West Indies? Well, if you were to ask MS Dhoni and his men, they would choose th eir new jersey, with its deep shade of blue conveying regal look.
Yes, after experimenting with ha lf a dozen variations of blue over the last decade and a half, Team India will now sport a shade that is the bluest of ‘em all. The te am’s new ODI outfit was unv eiled at a function in Mumbai on Wednesday, with Harsha Bhogle playing anchor, and Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sh arna, Dinesh Karthik, Pragyan Ojha and Zaheer Khan walking the ramp to thunderous applause. According to Tarun Pai, Nike’s Ch ief Executive Officer (Ind ia), “The me sh beneath the armpits and under the collar of the new jersey provides ample ventilation to the players. And the design imparts a to uch of patriotism.” Hopefully, the deeper blue will help India give New Zealand the blues.