Indian players pose in new kit ahead of ICC event; fans surprised by ‘Pakistan’ imprint on jersey
New Delhi, February 18: The Indian cricket team officially revealed their jersey for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Monday, February 17. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, along with Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh, posed in the brand-new kit ahead of the much-anticipated tournament. However, what caught everyone’s attention was the presence of host nation Pakistan’s name on the jersey—a rare sight in Indian cricket history.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) shared images of the Indian players donning the new jersey while receiving their ICC awards and Team of the Year caps. The jersey prominently featured the Champions Trophy 2025 logo, with Pakistan’s name imprinted as the official host nation.
Speculation Ends Over India’s Jersey Controversy
Leading up to the tournament, speculation was rife that India might opt for a jersey without Pakistan’s imprint, given the political tensions between the two nations. However, the official reveal confirmed that India would wear jerseys featuring the host country’s name, adhering to ICC regulations.
This is the first time in recent years that India’s kit carries Pakistan’s name. Notably, during the Asia Cup 2023, which was also hosted in Pakistan, none of the participating teams had the host nation’s name on their jerseys.
India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule
- February 20: vs Bangladesh (Dubai)
- February 23: vs Pakistan (Dubai)
- March 2: vs New Zealand (Dubai)
The India vs Pakistan clash on February 23 is expected to be one of the biggest encounters of the tournament.
Indian Players Shine in ICC Awards
Alongside the jersey reveal, several Indian cricketers were honored in the ICC Awards for their performances in 2024:
- Rohit Sharma – Named in the ICC ODI Team of the Year
- Ravindra Jadeja – Named in the ICC Test Team of the Year
- Hardik Pandya & Arshdeep Singh – Included in the ICC T20I Team of the Year
- Arshdeep Singh – Awarded T20I Cricketer of the Year
Arshdeep Singh had an exceptional year in T20 cricket, finishing as the joint-highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2024 with 17 wickets. He ended the year with 36 wickets in 18 matches, making him one of India’s key assets in white-ball cricket.
Champions Trophy 2025 Set to Begin
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will kick off on February 19, with the tournament opener between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium, Karachi. India, placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, will begin their campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai.
With India’s new jersey featuring Pakistan’s name and the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash on the horizon, the excitement for the tournament is already at its peak.