Why the Indian cricket team jersey is still blue

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced new jersey of the Indian cricket team ahead of the T20I series against Australia. The new jersey draws similar features to what the team had in 2007 before the T20 World Cup. 

The only difference which appears this time is that this new jersey has a lighther shade of blue than the previous one which had a darker shade. May be MPL, the official tool kit sponsor of India since 2020 wanted to remind the fans of the yesteryears when the Indian team had lighter blue jerseyes.

However, one thing that has remained same all over the years is the colour blue. Not only just cricket team, even the Indian teams in other sports like hockey have blue colour kit. 

Why? The answer to this question is in the national flag of India. The three colors of flag are saffron, white and green. Saffron wasn't used since it could have been associated with the political groups, white wasn't used becuase white uniform wouldn't have any visual effect and green colour was already used by the Pakistan team.

It was the Ashok Chakra in the middle with 24 spokes representing movement and growth that became an inspiration for Indian team's uniform. The shade has changed several times over the years, but the color blue has remained the same.  

This became so popular that Indian fans invented the chanting phrase 'bleed blue'. Even the Indian players came to be known as Men in Blue by the fans. And this is how the blue jersey has since then remained. 

From 1985, which was the first time teams played in coloured jerseyes till 2022, Indian jersey has gone through several changes. Up until 2007 T20 World Cup, Indian jersey had lighter shade of blue, but after that, a darker shade took over and has continued till today. 

Here are some pictures of the Indian jerseys over the years: