Brands
Skechers enters cricket footwear market with new launch in India
Mumbai: Skechers has officially entered the cricket footwear market, launching its cricket collection in India. Cricket stars Ishan Kishan and Yastika Bhatia, both part of the Mumbai Indians teams, already wear Skechers Cricket footwear in competition. This new range promises to bring Skechers’ signature comfort and performance to cricketers across India, empowering athletes at all levels.
Skechers Asia CEO Rahul Vira expressed the brand’s commitment to the Indian market, saying, “Cricket is more than just a sport in India—it’s a passion that unites millions and Skechers is ready to bring our signature Comfort That Performs to players across the country. The first-ever Skechers Cricket footwear collection delivers on our commitment to innovate with shoes that truly meet the demands of this vibrant sport. By working closely with top cricketers, we have designed a product range that brings incomparable performance, grip, and comfort to the cricket oval. We’re proud to begin this journey in India with a collection that will empower cricketers across all levels to perform at their best with our cutting-edge footwear.”
Skechers COO David Weinberg added, “The cricket-loving nation of India serves as the ideal launchpad for this innovative collection of high-performance cricket shoes tailored to the unique demands of the sport. Along with running and pickleball currently available in the country, we will further expand our performance portfolio in India with basketball rolling out shortly. Skechers has so much more to come with products offering Comfort That Performs across more sports and activities planned for the coming year.”
The collection includes Skechers Cricket Elite, featuring 11 metal spikes for exceptional traction, and Skechers Cricket Blade, offering seven metal spikes for agility. Both styles come equipped with Goodyear rubber outsoles for traction, Ultra Go cushioning, and Skechers Arch Fit technology for enhanced support.
Wicketkeeper and batter, Ishan Kishan shared, “Skechers has truly revolutionized cricket footwear with its new line. The perfect blend of grip, lightweight structure, and unmatched comfort makes a real difference on the field. Whether I’m diving behind the stumps or sprinting between wickets, these shoes give me the support and flexibility I need. Having competed in them extensively, I can confidently say they are reliable and comfortable. It’s exciting to be part of this launch with a brand that innovates and genuinely understands what cricketers need to perform at their best.”
Indian women’s cricket team, wicketkeeper-batter, Yastika Bhatia added, “As a cricketer, having the right gear is crucial for peak performance. Skechers’ new cricket shoe line delivers exceptional comfort and stability, allowing me to focus on my game without any distractions. The innovative technologies and meticulous design cater perfectly to the demands of cricket. Having worn these shoes since earlier this year, I can attest to their superior quality and performance. I’m thrilled to be part of this journey with Skechers, knowing that their expertise and passion are now empowering cricketers across all levels.”
Brands
Godrej clarifies ‘GI’ identifier after logo similarity debate
Says GI is not a logo, will not replace Godrej signature across products.
MUMBAI: In a branding storm where shapes did the talking, Godrej is now spelling things out. Godrej Industries Group (GIG) has issued a clarification on its newly introduced ‘GI’ identifier, addressing questions around its purpose and design following a wave of online criticism. At the centre of the debate were two concerns: whether the new mark replaces the long-standing Godrej logo, and whether its geometric design mirrors other corporate identities.
The company has drawn a clear line. The Godrej signature logo, it said, remains unchanged and continues to be the sole logo across all consumer-facing products and services. The ‘GI’ mark, by contrast, is not a logo but a corporate group identifier intended for use alongside the Godrej signature or company name, and aimed at stakeholders such as investors, media and talent rather than consumers.
The need for such a distinction stems from the 2024 restructuring of the broader Godrej Group into two separate business entities. With both continuing to operate under the same Godrej name and signature, the identifier is positioned as a way to differentiate the Godrej Industries Group at a corporate level.
The rollout, however, triggered a broader conversation on design originality. Critics pointed to similarities between the GI mark’s geometric composition and logos used by companies globally, raising questions about distinctiveness.
Responding to this, GIG said its intellectual property and legal review found that such overlaps are common in minimalist, geometry-led design systems. Basic forms such as circles and rectangles appear across dozens of brand identities worldwide, the company noted.
It added that the identifier emerged from an extensive design process and was chosen for its simplicity, allowing it to sit alongside the Godrej signature without competing visually. While acknowledging that elemental shapes may appear less distinctive in isolation, the group emphasised that the mark is part of a broader identity system that includes a custom typeface, sonic branding and other proprietary elements.
Following legal and ethical assessments, the company said it found no impediment to using the identifier, reiterating that the GI mark is a corporate tool not a consumer-facing symbol.
In short, the logo isn’t changing but the conversation around it certainly has.
