Brighter, bolder blue jersey for Team India

Kochi:

Team India will debut in the new Nike One-Day International kit, which has brighter and bolder blue jersey made from recycled polyester in their first match against Australia at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi on Sunday.

The new jersey is made entirely from recycled polyester, each one produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles, Ravi Kallayil, Business Director-Cricket Nike India Private Ltd, told reporters.

The new kit is an important step in the process to make all Nike products more sustainable.

Kallayil said Nike continuously strives to bring technology and innovations into the sport and help athletes improve their game.

"The new ODI kit not only looks great and delivers performance benefits, but is also made with recycled materials, creating less impact on the environment," he said.

Nike would provide cricket fans an assortment of jersey replicas, including the authentic game day jersey.

Besides, a complete range of the team's training and travel gear will also be part of this range. These products would be made available at Nike stores and leading multi-brand doors across the country, he said.

The new ODI kit is made from Nike's proprietary DriFit Technology- 'Denier Differential' for superior moisture management. Yarns of different circumference are used on the face vis-a-vis the back to create increased surface area, resulting in an exceptional way to transport moisture through the fabric, keeping athletes cool and dry, Kallayil said.

The Aerographic print on the back panel along high sweat zones enhances cooling while increasing aesthetics. The 'Gusset' construction based on body motion analysis allows for maximum flexibility and stretch for the athletes.

"The kit has been designed to keep players drier, cooler and more comfortable allowing them to maintain an optimum body temperature and perform at their best on pitch," he said.

Ventilation zones, with upto 200 tiny laser cut holes, are placed on each side of the jersey to enhance breathability and are combined with a fabric that increases air flow by upto seven per cent compared to  previous kits. Air can now pass across a player's whole torso, keeping him cooler.

The jersey's new double knit structure not only gives it a sleeker appearance, while offering 10 per cent more stretch than the last national team kit jerseys, but also boasts a new dynamic fit cut to follow natural contours of the body while still allowing for maximum airflow and movement,he said.

The design and aesthetics of the new kit draws inspiration from the rich Indian heritage and cricket culture ensuring that the Men in Blue embody the surging new India.