New Zealand unveil 'Kotahitanga' ODI jersey to mark 100 years of sporting ties with India

New Zealand have unveiled a limited-edition one-day international jersey combining Indian and Māori artwork to mark 100 years of sporting ties with India, and the Black Caps will wear the shirt during the five-match ODI series against India starting November 4.

Named Kotahitanga, the jersey was, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said, designed to recognise the long-standing sporting relationship between the two countries; three artists collaborated on the project — Ben Thomason, Shiv Narandas and Jai Pancha. "We're absolutely wrapped with the design. The artists have created a beautiful balance between a distinct Maori design and a distinct Indian design that speaks to the bond between our nations," Critchley said. "Sport underpins the unity between New Zealand and India and we hope this shirt will be a collector's item treasured by New Zealand and Indian cricket fans for years to come."

The Kotahitanga design incorporates lotus flowers, mandala art and traditional Māori patterns across the shirt. Narandas and Pancha selected three Indian motifs for the jersey: the lotus, India's national flower; an ogee pattern commonly seen in Indian architecture; and the mandala, whose symmetrical structure the designers said complements traditional Māori designs. Each of those Indian elements was chosen to sit alongside Māori motifs within the overall composition.

Ben Thomason contributed kowhaiwhai, a form of traditional Māori scrollwork, and added haehae lines to the design. NZC described the artwork as a tribute to those who have contributed to sporting ties between New Zealand and India over the years. The three artists, NZC noted, brought different cultural influences to the finished jersey.

The BLACKCAPS announced the shirt's availability on social media: "Kotahitanga | Unity Available now at https://t.co/QmhJAXWozn and selected Rebel Sport stores. https://t.co/FXgQnLO7iI— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 10, 2026". For Shiv Narandas, whose family comes from India, the project had particular personal significance: "This shirt feels like a journey of our life here. I hope that everyone can feel the energy that's been put into this project and they can wear the shirt with pride," he said.

India and New Zealand will first meet in a five-match T20I series beginning October 22 before turning their attention to the five ODIs from November 4.