EXPLAINED: Decoding the 'Billion Cheers Jersey' of Indian team for T20 World Cup

Inspired by the fans, the Indian cricket team's jersey for the upcoming T20 World Cup was unveiled by the MPL Sports, the official kit-sponsors of Team India. This is days before the country opens its campaign with a much-awaited clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in Dubai. As usual, it is a dark blue attire however there is a difference added to it especially for the Indian cricket fans. So, let us decode it here-

  

 

 

Speaking of the jersey design, the team will continue to sport the navy blue color. However, the front part of the jersey is a bit different from the previous one. There are shades of royal blue color on it with India written in Orange. The new kit stick with the dark blue pattern which replaced the traditional navy blue back in December last year. The jersey comes in shades of Prussian blue and royal blue. There are unique soundwave patterns. There are three stars above the BCCI logo.

 

 

 

As per the statement by MPL Sports, the soundwave pattern has been inspired by the fans. The statement said, “This is the first time in the history of Indian cricket that fans have been memorialized on a jersey. It carries their chants and cheers from iconic past matches, transformed into unique soundwave patterns.” It is a unique way to honor the fans who have been behind the team for a long time.

 

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said, "The Indian cricket team enjoys support not just in India but around the world, and there's no better way to celebrate their excitement and energy than through this jersey.

 

 

"This will undoubtedly provide the team with the much-needed enthusiastic support in their quest to emerge as the T20 champions of the world. We are also pleased to see that MPL Sports continues to deliver merchandise that is widely affordable and accessible."

 

The board's secretary Jay Shah echoed the view. "The story behind the jersey is a story of every Indian cricket fan. We are sure that wearing this will be a matter of great pride for both the team and supporters alike."

 

 

At the left top corner, there’s BCCI logo with three stars above it. Notably, the significance of these three stars is enormous. It denotes the number of World Cup titles India have lifted across formats. India tasted glory for the first time in 1983 when the side won its maiden ODI World Cup under Kapil Dev’s leadership.

 

It took India 24 years to become world champions again. The MS Dhoni-led team won the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup in 2007. Four years later, Dhoni led India to glory one more time as the Men in Blue lifted the 2011 World Cup. Hence, the three stars on the jersey are to celebrate India’s three World Cup titles.

 

 

The tournament will be held from October 17 to November 14 in the UAE and Oman. BCCI have named a strong 15-man squad for the upcoming global event. While batters like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul are stalwarts of this format, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, and Mohammed Shami can make the ball talk. Besides the team, the Men in Blue will also have mentor MS Dhoni. India will kick-start their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 24.