Nike, the official apparel sponsor for Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), today unveiled the new One Day International (ODI) Team kit. To showcase the brighter, bolder and new technologically advanced ODI kit, India’s Men in Blue – Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Oza and Gautam Gambhir – were present at Nike’s launch event today at Chandigarh. Team India will debut this new ODI kit in the forth coming India – Australia series and will also be available for fans at Nike retail in October 2010.
The event saw Nike’s introduction of its globally acclaimed considered design ethos - one that combines sustainability principles and innovative performance products for athletes - in India in the sport of cricket. The new brighter bolder blue jersey showcased at the launch event is made entirely from recycled polyester, each one produced from up to eight recycled plastic bottles. The national team kits represent an important step in the process to make all Nike products more sustainable and the New Year (Spring 2011) will see Team India debut the recycled version on pitch as well as be made available at Nike retail for fans.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Mr. Shashank Manohar, President, BCCI said, “Cricket is a dynamic phenomenon, with as many as three versions being played and followed all over the world. Cricket in India has evolved over the years, from being a sport, to an institution that unites the entire country. This evolution has been embraced by all those associated with the game, while still adhering to the spirit and essence that characterized the sport in its fledgling years. Nike’s new ODI kit, with the innovations in technology and brighter blue, embodies the same. We wish our teams greater success in the coming seasons.”
In his address, Tarun Puri, Managing Director and General Manager, Nike India Pvt. Ltd., said “Nike continuously strives to bring technology and innovation into the game and we are proudly here today at another defining moment for Nike as we are equipping athletes with newly designed uniforms that not only look great and deliver performance benefits, but are also made with recycled materials, creating less impact on our environment The national team kit represents an important step in the process to make all Nike products more sustainable.”
Team India will sport the newly launched Cricket Team Kit for both the ODI and T20 formats of the game from the forth coming India – Australia series beginning on October 17, 2010.
Nike will 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 a part of this range. These products will be available at all Nike stores and leading multi brand doors across the country.
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Kit Innovations
Team India’s new ODI kit is made from Nike’s proprietary Dri Fit Technology - “Denier Differential” for superior moisture management. Yarns of different circumference are used on the face vis-à-vis the back to create increased surface area resulting in an exceptional way to transport moisture through the fabric which keeps skin side dry keeping the athletes cool and dry.
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. (Please refer the Tech sheet for a complete range of all features of the jersey)
Beyond all this, Nike brings in its considered design ethos –
Considering the environment doesn’t mean sacrificing the innovative performance elements of Nike’s kits. The Cricket ODI 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 the pitch.
Improved Nike Dri-Fit fabric, now 13 percent lighter than previous Nike kit fabrications, helps keep players dry by drawing sweat to the outside of the garment where it evaporates. Ventilation zones have been placed on each side of the jersey to enhance breathability, and are combined with a fabric that increases air flow by up to seven percent compared to previous kits. Air can now pass across a player’s whole torso, keeping him cooler. These ventilation zones consist of up to 200 tiny laser cut holes which are backed by Nike’s innovative halo application. This treatment prevents ripping without reducing air flow.
The jersey’s new double knit structure not only gives it a sleeker appearance, while offering 10 percent more stretch than the last Nike national team kit jerseys , but also boasts a new dynamic fit cut to follow the natural contours of the body while still allowing for maximum airflow and movement.
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.
About Nike
Nike, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.