Why New Zealand has released special jerseys ahead of India’s tour

New Zealand Cricket has released a limited-edition Kotahitanga ODI shirt ahead of India's multi-format tour of the country. The special jersey commemorates 100 years of sporting relations between New Zealand and India, which originated with an Indian Army hockey tour in 1926. The BlackCaps are scheduled to wear the kit during the upcoming five-match ODI series.

The shirt's design was created collaboratively by artists Ben Thomason, Shiv Narandas, and Jai Pancha, merging Maori kowhaiwhai patterns with Indian motifs including lotus flowers, an ogee pattern, and mandala art. Mitchell Santner will captain a full-strength New Zealand squad in the ODI series, which also features the return of all-rounder Rachin Ravindra.