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New Zealand have unveiled a special limited-edition jersey for their upcoming One-Day International series against India, using a blend of Māori and Indian artistic traditions to celebrate 100 years of sporting ties between the two countries.
Named the ‘Kotahitanga’ ODI shirt, the jersey will be worn by the BLACKCAPS during the five-match ODI series scheduled to begin on November 4, 2026. New Zealand Cricket announced the design on October 10, describing it as a celebration of the shared history, respect and connection between the two nations.
The word ‘Kotahitanga’ is associated with unity, reflecting the concept behind the limited-edition shirt. The design brings together visual elements from Māori culture and Indian artistic traditions, with cricket serving as the common connection between the two countries.
New Zealand artists Ben Thomason, Shiv Narandas and Jai Pancha collaborated on the jersey. Thomason incorporated traditional Māori kōwhaiwhai patterns—decorative scroll designs—over a background of haehae lines. The artwork honours the people who have helped build the relationship between the countries and connects past generations with the present.
Indian design elements were contributed by Narandas and Pancha. These include the lotus, India's national flower, a repeating ogee pattern inspired by Indian architecture, and mandala artwork. The motifs were incorporated to complement the Māori design elements and create a unified visual identity.
New Zealand Cricket Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Glenn Critchley praised the artists for balancing the two cultural traditions in the shirt.
“The artists have created a beautiful balance between a distinct Māori design and a distinct Indian design that speaks to the bond between our nations.”
Critchley also expressed hope that the shirt would become a treasured collector's item for cricket supporters in both countries, highlighting the role of sport in bringing communities together.
For Shiv Narandas, whose family has roots in India, the project carried a personal connection. His contribution helped bring Indian visual traditions into a design intended to represent the relationship between the two nations.
The jersey launch forms part of a broader centenary celebration in 2026. According to Sport New Zealand, the sporting relationship traces back to 1926, when an Indian Army hockey team toured New Zealand. The tour was an early milestone in sporting exchanges between the countries.
Over the following century, sport has helped strengthen connections through competition, cultural exchange and shared communities. Cricket is one of the most prominent links in that relationship, making the BLACKCAPS' special ODI shirt a fitting part of the anniversary celebrations.
New Zealand's home international programme against India is scheduled to begin with a five-match T20I series on October 22, 2026. The teams will then move to the ODI format, with the five-match series beginning on November 4.
The Kotahitanga shirt is specifically intended for the ODI series, giving the BLACKCAPS a distinctive kit for the centenary occasion. Alongside its role as playing apparel, the limited-edition design is expected to appeal to supporters interested in cricket memorabilia and the cultural story behind the series.
The Kotahitanga shirt is more than a new cricket kit. Its design brings together Māori patterns and Indian motifs to recognise a sporting relationship that spans generations. By wearing the jersey during the India ODIs, New Zealand will mark the centenary through one of the sports that continues to connect fans in both countries.
With the T20I series starting later in October and the ODIs following in November, the special jersey adds a cultural dimension to the upcoming tour, celebrating not only the competition on the field but also the history shared by the two nations.
