New Zealand Players to Wear Special Jerseys Celebrating 100 Years of Sports Relations with India

Auckland, October 11 (Daily Kiran) : In Auckland, New Zealand‘s cricket team will wear special limited-edition jerseys during their upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against India. This initiative marks the 100th anniversary of sports relations between the two nations.

The Black Caps will showcase the Kotahitanga ODI shirt, designed to celebrate the shared history, cultural connections, and mutual respect between New Zealand and India. The design creatively blends Māori and Indian artistic traditions.

Artists Ben Thomson (Ngāti Raukawa), Shiv Narandas, and Jai Pancha collaborated on this project, integrating elements from both cultures into a single shirt that reflects their intertwined histories. Thomson incorporated Māori Kowhaiwhai patterns against a backdrop of Hehe lines, symbolizing connections between the living and the deceased while honoring those who helped forge the relationship between the two countries. This design emphasizes the importance of this bond for players, fans, and those working behind the scenes.

Narandas and Pancha contributed three Indian design elements, including the lotus, India’s national flower, an architectural-inspired Ogee pattern, and a mandala that naturally aligns with Māori design systems.

Glen Critchley, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer of New Zealand Cricket, highlighted how the jersey showcases the sport’s ability to unite different cultures. He remarked, “We are fully immersed in the design. The artists have created a beautiful balance between a distinctive Māori design and a unique Indian design, reflecting the relationship between our countries. This shirt symbolizes unity between New Zealand and India, and we hope it becomes special for cricket fans in both nations for years to come.”

Thomson stated that the guiding principle behind the design was to illustrate unity. “In essence, it speaks to unity, and I believe that this has been wholeheartedly represented in the design,” he said.

Narandas, whose family hails from India, described the project as a rewarding experience. “This shirt feels like a journey of our lives. I hope everyone can feel the energy put into this project and wear this shirt with pride,” he expressed.

The series between India and New Zealand is set to commence on October 22.