“Dhoni finishes off in style!” We all still relive these iconic words by the great Ravi Shastri in our minds day in and day out. Saying that cricket is a religion in India is no exaggeration. Cricket is more than just a sport; it’s a way of life in many regions. For countless children, summer vacations are marked by a single event of playing cricket, from the crowing of the rooster in the early morning until the setting of the sun. While smashing soft tennis balls in their small park, every kid dreamt of nothing but going home and asking their parent to order an Indian cricket jersey for him to show his support and pride.
We know you are fascinated, so keep reading to find out more about the multi-faceted cultural significance of the Indian cricket jersey.
1. Historical Evolution
Before we explore the details of the jersey and its design, let’s examine three important phases of the Indian cricket jersey. If you’re planning to order Indian cricket jersey in the near future, take a look at these;
- The Game of Red and White: Before the 1970s, the colour of jerseys were stark white with no name or number on the back. The sport was played mostly with red leather balls unlike the trio of white, pink and red present today.
- Dawn of Blue: The first coloured World Cup was played in 1992, and India had dawned a dark blue jersey with red, green and white stripes on the upper chest on their first appearance. This is an iconic jersey that was paid homage in recent years too.
- The ODI Dominance: The bright blue colour became the classic norm for Indian jerseys with added white and sometimes orange stripes along the edges. The brand logos were placed at the front, with the name and number at the back.
2. Symbolism of The Chosen Colour
Why is the Indian jersey blue? If that’s your question while you look to order Indian cricket jersey for your child, then we have the answer for you. The main celebrated colours in India are the tricolours of the national flag—white, green and saffron with blue Ashok Chakra in the centre. While white can’t be chosen for a coloured jersey, saffron and green were colours known for different religious groups, and thus, blue was selected as the symbol of the sky and its vastness. Who would have known the conquest of the Indian cricket team on the world stage would suit the colour so well?
3. Pride of A Billion People
With cricket being the most popular sport in India, every household has their eyes glued to the screen when icons like Sachin Tendulkar, M.S. Dhoni, Virat Kohli or Hardik Pandya step to bat; you can hear stories about all-night prayers or funny superstitions with friends and family showcasing the love and bonding power of this jersey. The 2011 iconic jersey featuring sky blue colour with orange Indian typography is still as fresh as ever in every fan’s mind, and so is the orange-sleeved 2024 T20 World Cup-winning one.
4. Social Media and The Fashion Statement
Be it the classic 2003 Indian jersey under “Dada” Sourav Ganguly or the Suave Champions Trophy kit, it has been on the trend on social media. From fashion enthusiasts and Bollywood celebs alike, Indian jerseys have been a style statement in the world of fashion. With trends such as #Bleedblue, you can understand the effect the vibrant colour of a jersey has on the people and culture.
5. A Symbol of Equality And Inclusivity
You may feel it’s just a jersey that showcases the unity of the team and creates a bond among players. That’s true. However, it is also a symbol of inclusivity and progressiveness. No matter the religion, status, region or occupation, once a player walks out onto the field in those colours, they are a part of India, a part of something way bigger than themselves. Consciously or unconsciously, this also helps ignite hope and help motivate the younger generation to never give up and that they, too, belong in that jersey.
Wrapping Up
Be it an 8-year-old child sitting in front of the TV watching his favourite cricketer run down the field in that special light blue jersey or an 82-year-old man, you can see the same excitement and joy on both faces; that’s the power a sport holds on its community. While it may not be possible for all to join the journey with the Indian Cricket team, with so many brands working on customised jerseys, you can just order an Indian cricket jersey to enjoy a slice of that history and pride. #Bleedblue
