Indian team in new shade of blue

With just about a month to go for the ICC World Cup, the Indian team has revealed its new ODI kit at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday. India, the defending champions, will take on England and Australia in a tri-series before the quadrennial event that starts next month.

The new kit is a result of constant interaction between the players and the official kit maker Nike. India captain MS Dhoni is impressed with the patriotic touch given to the jersey that sports strands which have been taken out of the national flag. "There has been constant interaction between Nike and the players," Dhoni said. "We all gave them our inputs and a lot of them have been passed. The product was already great and this is just an improvement on the previous one. It looks good.

"The front part the strands that are drawn in the front are out of our national flag (the 24 lines in the Ashok Chakra) and it gives a bit of a feel to it. You know what you're supposed to do when you're playing for your country but this touch just reiterates the fact. I am glad that Nike has put it in the shirt," he said.

Virat Kohli is aiming for an encore and wants his team to win a second consecutive World title in the new colours. "A second consecutive World Cup win would be a nice milestone to have in the new jersey. That's what we will aim for in the next two months and have a vision for," he said. "It doesn't matter if the colour of the jersey changes as long there is the India logo on it. It is the reason why we play cricket. It is what keeps me and the boys going."

Kohli wanted the kit to be more comfortable and presentable. "One thing that I have stressed on for the last couple of years is the fit. I like the shirt that fits nice and snug. That's something Nike has done this time around and I am really pleased it's been done. As sportsmen if you're fit, you should have clothes that make you look good as well," he said.

Team's leading spinner R Ashwin takes pride in the fact that the kit has been made from 33 plastic bottles and that by donning it, the team will be doing their bit for the environment. "I have been told that the one pair of shirt and trousers is made out of 33 plastic bottles in all," he said. "We feel socially responsible as a unit wearing this kit and doing our bit for the environment. So, in that regards, I am really proud of what Nike has given us."

India will start the defence of their World title against Pakistan from February 15 at the Adelaide Oval. They have been placed in Group B which also includes the likes of South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Ireland and UAE.