Team India Complains About ‘Substandard’ Kits by Sponsors Nike

Indian players have approached BCCI and the CoA to bring the issue of substandard kits to their notice. The Indian skipper and the Blue Army complained about the quality of kits from their official sponsors-Nike. After the complaint from the players, BCCI has assured them that they will look into the matter and have decided to take serious action against the sponsors.

Commenting on the issue of quality of kits, Rahul Johri, BCCI’s CEO said,”It (Nike?s clothing) has come up for discussion in last COA meeting and chairman CoA (Vinod Rai) took it very strongly. The team cannot have sub-standard kits and we will be engaging with Nike and he has asked to put our case strongly. We have to engage with them, we will have a meeting with them next week and try to resolve it at earliest”

Team India’s venture with Nike started in 2006 agreeing a deal worth 43 million dollars.The sponsors renewed the contract in 2011 which was extended for next 5 years after they paid 60 million dollars. The sponsors renewed the contract in 2015 which extends the contract to 2020. Nike paid 57 million dollars in the latest agreement.

Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni said,”The game has been evolving over the years and the need to have kits that are designed to suit the modern game has always been the priority for the team management and Nike. Features like the 4D quickness and Zero distractions will definitely help the team on the field.”

Team India is scheduled to play the second ODI against Sri Lanka on August 24 with the same kit unless there is an official statement from team Nike.