Team India to don all-new kit during Australia series

Rajkot: The Indian cricket team will kick off the new season in a brand new limited-overs kit, which was unveiled today by BCCI's official apparel partner Nike ahead of the series against Australia starting here on Thursday.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said the new kit has been developed with inputs from the cricketers.

"This particular jersey, a lot of feedback came from the players as to what they actually wanted in their jersey and I hope it has been incorporated," Dhoni said at the launch on the eve of the one off Twenty20 match against Australia.

"It makes us look good, which is a good thing apart from playing good cricket. We will try it in this series and the coming next series and the actual feedback will go to Nike in couple of months," he added.

Dhoni said the apparel, which is in India's trademark blue colour, can enhance the team's performance.

"I think blue is the colour our team has been associated with. People recognise the Indian cricket team through different shades of blue. It is a big thing for us. As youngsters, when you start playing cricket, if you are good enough, there comes a time when that is something that you want in life and it is a blue jersey with the (BCCI) logo on the left side.

"I think it is a big part of our life. Nike of course has provided us with very good products for the team to enhance our performance, because now at the top level, you have to be at your best. What really matters is those small basic needs if you can do well than you can always come up with good performances," the skipper said.

The jersey has been made out of 100 per cent recycled polyester fabric.

"The jersey is made of polyester, which has been recycled from plastic bottles. Obviously since it is made of recycled plastic, one good thing is that it is going to be really good for the environment, which is a positive. It is lighter and it is the first time polyester has been used in our team jersey," off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin said.

The apparel major said that the kit includes the first-ever four way stretch pants, which feature a more streamlined, shrink-wrap fit for better movement on the field. A new woven fabric has been introduced to help athletes move better and enhance durability.

It added that the jersey has a dynamic fit tailored to the athlete's body, a result of 3D body mapping of the world's top athletes and insights from collaboration with the Indian cricket team.

"The colour and design is good. It fits well. It is light weight and stretchable, which is good as you can dive on the ground. It is the Indian jersey so we feel proud every time we wear it," all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja said.

Known for his quick wit, captain Dhoni didn't disappoint when the mike stopped working and said, "They are making a jersey for the mike also next time so that it performs better."