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Nike Cricket brings the new ‘Men in Blue’ jersey
MUMBAI: Nike, the official apparel sponsor of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has revealed the limited-overs uniform that Team India will wear this cricket season.
Nike’s Team India kit draws inspiration from the passion and support fans have for the sport and the national team. The uniform is a striking contemporary blue, with a textured, premium finish.
Designed to enhance the modern requirements of the game and its players, 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 gleaned from collaboration with the Indian cricket team. Players expressed the desire for a jersey that moves with them and is comfortable enabling a complete focus on their game. The jersey is accented with a cutting edge graphic on the shoulders.
Nike India VP and GM Bob Coombes said in a press statement: “The country’s love for the sport and its team is what drives us to deliver our very best in technology and design to cricket India. This kit combines superior lightweight performance made from 100 per cent recycled polyester, causing minimal impact on the environment while ensuring that the design aptly reflects the winning attitude of the team. We stay committed in our endeavour to deliver the best and continue to wish our ‘Men in Blue’ greater success in the coming tournament.”
In an earlier interview to indiantelevison.com Star India – also the official sponsor for Team India – COO Sanjay Gupta had stated: “Cricket helps build awareness of brands and associations and we are seeking value coming from both. It is a serious value that we see as a business and hence this sponsorship.”
Star India with the association with Team India cricket, is very clear on using the placement of its logo on the jersey to make the Star brand more salient in its viewers eyes. With the sponsorship rights from 2014 to 2017 and over 100 matches to be played, Star is clearly leveraging its association with sports and continuing to invest heavily on sports.
In keeping with Nike’s Better World philosophy, Team India’s kit is constructed with 100 per cent recycled polyester fabric that is lightweight, reinforced with increased stretchability and enhanced moisture-wicking capabilities. Improved ventilation zones provide additional comfort and cooling.
The four-way stretch pants for Team India complete the kit. The pants feature a more streamlined, shrink-wrap fit for better movement on the field. A woven fabric has been introduced to help athletes move better and enhance durability.
The Team India kits will be available at select Nike retail outlets.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
