New Zealand to wear limited-edition Kotahitanga ODI shirt during India series
New Zealand will wear a limited-edition jersey for the five-match ODI series against India, which is scheduled to take place in New Zealand between November 4 and 15, 2026, the New Zealand Cricket Board said.
India are finishing a home T20I series against West Indies that is scheduled to end on October 17, and after a four-day break Team India will tour New Zealand for a multi-format program running from October 22 to December 01, 2026; the tour starts with five T20Is and concludes the T20 leg on November 1 in Hamilton before the ODIs begin.
The ODI matches are set to be staged across four venues — Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui — and the series has generated fan interest in part because Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be in action.
New Zealand’s jersey launch was described by the NZC in a statement as: “Introducing the limited-edition Kotahitanga ODI shirt. A celebration of two cultures bound by their love of cricket. To commemorate 100 years of sporting ties between Aotearoa and India.” The team will wear the shirt specifically for the ODI series.
The design incorporates Indian and Māori elements, with the article noting patterns depicting Mandala art, the lotus flower, and Māori traditions. Artists Ben Thomson, Shiv Narandas, and Jay Pancha created this design.
The report states that "Shiv and Jai belong to Gujarat, and they contributed three motifs to the newly launched design. These motifs are a repeating ogee pattern inspired by Indian architecture, the lotus, India’s national flower, and the mandala, whose symmetrical structure complements Māori design traditions." Meanwhile, Thomason incorporated Māori kowhaiwhai patterns and haehae lines, which will honour those who helped build the relationship between the nations. The notable centenary pattern represents the 100-year-old sporting connection between the two countries.
A social media post accompanying the launch included the caption: "New Zealand will sport a special jersey featuring Indian and Maori designs during the ODI series against India. pic.twitter.com/sJcYRzppcK" For more coverage, the article directs readers to follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube, download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join its Whatsapp and Telegram communities.
The ODI series will be played between November 4 and 15; the Kotahitanga shirt will be used for those matches.
