New Zealand will wear a special ODI shirt when they play India in the first one-day match on November 4. The design marks 100 years of sporting links between the two countries. It is a one-off jersey for this series.
Three artists worked on the shirt. Two are New Zealanders of Indian origin, Shiv Narandas and Jai Pancha. The third is Ben Thomason, who is from New Zealand. Their goal was to show the cultural roots of both nations.
Thomason used Māori kōwhaiwhai patterns. He placed them over a background of haehae lines. The idea was to connect the living with those who have passed. It also honours the people who built the bond between the countries. And it celebrates what that bond means to players, fans, and everyone behind the scenes.
Narandas and Pancha added three Indian motifs. One is the lotus, India’s national flower. Another is a repeating ogee pattern taken from Indian architecture. The third is a mandala. It gives the design a balanced, symmetrical shape that fits naturally with Māori design styles.
Glenn Critchley is NZC’s Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer. He said the board is very happy with the shirt. He feels the artists found a beautiful balance between Māori and Indian design. He said sport is a big part of the unity between New Zealand and India. He hopes the shirt becomes a collector’s item for fans of both teams.
India and New Zealand will play 12 games on this tour. It starts with five T20Is. The first T20I is on October 22 in Christchurch. After that comes the five-match ODI series, starting on November 4. Then the tour ends with two Test matches.
After the first three ODIs, some players will leave the squad. Replacements will come in. That is because the two-Test series starts just four days after the final ODI.
Announce Two ODI Squads for India Series as Rachin Ravindra Returns and Finn Allen Makes Comeback
New Zealand have named two separate ODI squads for their series against India. The five-match series begins on November 4. The first match is at Eden Park in Auckland.
Before the ODIs, the two teams play five T20Is. That series runs from October 22 to November 1.
Mitchell Santner will captain the ODI team. Rachin Ravindra is back. He hurt his shoulder and missed the T20I series. He will play in the first three ODIs.
The first three ODIs will use a 14-player group. That squad has Santner, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, and Will Young. Latham is the wicketkeeper.
After the third ODI, some players will leave the squad. They will go to Wellington to prepare for the Test series. Seven other players will come in for the last two ODIs. That group includes Santner, Finn Allen, Bracewell, Chapman, Kristian Clarke, Duffy, Matt Fisher, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert, Tickner, and Young. Hay and Seifert are the wicketkeepers.
Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson last played an ODI in 2023. Ferguson’s last ODI was the World Cup semi-final against India in Mumbai. Tim Seifert’s last ODI was about 18 months ago. That was against Pakistan at home.
New Zealand also have happy recent memories against India in ODIs. In January, they won a series in India 2-1. It was the first time New Zealand had won an ODI series on Indian soil.
New Zealand will name their 14-player Test squad in early November.
FAQs
Q. Why is New Zealand wearing a special ODI jersey against India?
A. The jersey celebrates 100 years of sporting ties between the nations.
Q. Which artists designed the Special New Zealand ODI jersey?
A. Shiv Narandas, Jai Pancha, and Ben Thomason designed the shirt.
Q. Which Indian motifs feature on the jersey?
A. The jersey features a lotus, an ogee pattern, and a mandala.
Q. When does the India-New Zealand ODI series begin?
A. The first ODI is scheduled for November 4.
Q. Which players are returning to New Zealand’s ODI squad?
A. Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, and Tim Seifert are returning.
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.
