The Indian cricket team, led by Virat Kohli, will play their ICC Cricket World Cup match against hosts England on June 30 wearing an ‘alternate jersey’ as per a new International Cricket Council (ICC) rule that gives the hosts the first right to choose the colour of their jersey. Since England also have a blue-themed jersey, Team India will have to choose their alternate jersey, which, media reports on Sunday said that will be orange themed.
Since some time, fans and the media have been predicting how the alternate jersey that Virat Kohli and his boys are expected to wear in the World Cup in England and Wales will look like.
News agency IANS on Sunday reported that the rear side of the alternate jersey will be orange in colour as compared to the original blue.
Speaking to IANS, a source in the know of developments said that it is not exactly an away jersey, as many people are putting it, but an alternate jersey as per the new playing rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“There has been a lot of talks and speculation and people have been calling it an away jersey. But it isn’t. It is an alternate jersey that the team will wear when they play England on June 30. As per the new rules, the hosts get to retain their jersey colour when they play an ICC event. Since India also have a blue jersey like England, there is a slight change in colour,” the source explained.
While the tournament has already got underway with favourites England winning their first game against South Africa and defending champions Australia thrashing Afghanistan in their opening fixture, India will start their campaign against South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday.
Even before India’s first game, the team management had a scare when skipper Kohli injured his thumb during a training session at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Saturday.
Kohli was seen walking off the ground with his right thumb dipped in ice. Before that, Team India physio Patrick Farhart attended him and assessed the situation. While it is still unclear if Kohli hurt his thumb while batting or fielding, Farhart took all the necessary precautions as the run-machine looked in discomfort. But there is nothing to worry and the captain is set to take the field on June 5.
