The Economics of Style: A Look at Cricket Kits

Making sense of cricket kit designs we love and begrudgingly tolerate

30.01.2025

I was watching the Border-Gavaskar Trophy highlights with my grandma recently. Aside from that series, the channels mostly showed the BBL, ILT20, and SA20—three different T20 leagues with a whole lot of colours on display. As Australia finished their bowling innings and walked off the field, my grandma casually remarked: “No matter what colour they wear these days, the whites will always look the best and smartest.” I didn't dwell on it much at first. She grew up in an era where the game was played solely in white uniforms, so it’s no surprise she has a soft spot for tradition.

Another friend, who isn’t a huge cricket fan but has a keen eye for fashion, shares the same sentiment about certain modern kits—some colour choices are just baffling. In truth, I see the point. I’m not a designer, but every once in a while, a new kit will debut and I’ll think, “That is... interesting.” Still, most of us have personal favorites. My own first blog post was spurred by a snapshot of me sporting a Sri Lankan shirt. While I love that memory, it’s not my all-time favorite kit. Yet I do appreciate how well Sri Lanka’s designers blend blue and yellow. They manage to keep it looking fresh each time.

A Quick Look Back: Where Did Coloured Kits Come From?

Though whites still rule in Test cricket, the introduction of limited-overs formats set the stage for coloured uniforms. One of the earliest experiments came from Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket in the late 1970s. The official cricket boards were skeptical at first, but Packer’s breakaway tournament brought night matches, a white ball, and—most strikingly—brightly coloured uniforms. This was a turning point that showed fans and administrators that the sport could embrace visual flair without losing its essence.

Fast-forward to the 1992 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. This was the first time a World Cup fully embraced coloured kits, a white ball, and black sight screens. It felt futuristic back then. Instead of every side in plain whites, each team arrived with a unique colour scheme, plus diagonal stripes across the chest that unified the overall look of the tournament. Pakistan, who ended up lifting the trophy, sported a bright green outfit with those signature angled stripes. England wore a light shade of blue, while India had a darker blue with colourful streaks. Even though some styles were, let’s say, a product of their time, the 1992 World Cup is often remembered fondly for its leap into a more colourful era.

Today, coloured kits have become standard in One Day Internationals and T20s. For many younger fans, it’s hard to imagine limited-overs cricket without a rainbow of uniforms on the field. Yet for those who recall the sudden shift from white to bright in the early 1990s, it marked a genuine revolution in how the sport presented itself to the world.

Nostalgia for Whites: Simple and Classy

While the multi-coloured jerseys have taken center stage in shorter formats, the allure of Test whites hasn’t entirely faded. Many associate the classic, all-white look with the purest form of the game. It’s possible nostalgia plays a role—some believe that seeing players in white on a green field is what cricket “should” look like. But there’s also a practicality to whites that’s more timeless than any bold colour scheme. Economically, though, minimalism doesn’t always drive sales; fans generally won’t replace a white Test jersey season after season. T20 and ODI designs, on the other hand, get updated frequently, which can be a goldmine for merchandise.

Big Bash and the Charm of Coordinated Colors

One of my personal favorites has been the approach taken by the WBBL and BBL in Australia. There’s a standard black base incorporated into many of the kits, while each team’s signature color is prominently featured. It’s a system that prevents clashes and makes the teams instantly recognizable. On TV, the combination of black with one bold color per side creates a fun visual experience. For example, the Perth Scorchers are decked out in an orange that’s exactly what comes to mind if someone says “my favorite color is orange.” Some jerseys also include details that celebrate Aboriginal culture, which has become a highly anticipated element every season. Those small flourishes connect the league to local communities, sparking conversations about cultural appreciation and adding an extra bit of pride for fans.

Why does this matter from a business standpoint? People like consistency. If you’re a Scorchers fan, you expect that familiar orange every season, maybe with new touches here and there. The balance between the recognizable core colour and subtle annual tweaks encourages fans to purchase the latest version while preserving the team’s identity.

The IPL Influence: Iconic Colour Schemes and Marketing

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most famous T20 tournaments in the world, known for glitzy opening ceremonies, star-studded lineups, and of course, some memorable jerseys. While every franchise updates its kit to some degree each season, only a few truly stand out in people’s memories. Teams like Mumbai Indians (blue and gold), Chennai Super Kings (yellow), and Royal Challengers Bangalore (red and gold) have been popular both for their successes and their strong visuals. Over time, fans have formed deep bonds with those colour schemes. When you think of Chennai, yellow probably pops into your mind, and it has little to do with the city’s broader culture and everything to do with MS Dhoni and the team’s achievements. That connection is valuable for sponsors and for merchandise sales.

Sunrisers Hyderabad’s “Orange Army” is another fun example. The colour has become part of their identity, to the point that even their offshoot team in the SA20—Sunrisers Eastern Cape—shares the same colour palette. Kolkata Knight Riders, known for purple and gold, enjoy a similar level of recognition, although their success hasn’t been as consistent in the trophy department.

Why do certain jerseys click while others fade away? Success on the field is one factor, but so is how effectively a franchise links its colour and logo to its entire brand. When you buy a jersey, you’re investing in that story. You wear those colours not just because they look cool, but because they make you feel like you’re part of the team’s journey.

The Business of Kit Design

Kit design isn’t just a question of style. There’s a lot of money involved, particularly from sponsorships. Companies pay for prime real estate on jerseys, so the design often shifts to accommodate sponsor logos in optimal spots. For instance, a major sponsor might want a more prominent space on the front of the shirt, while secondary sponsors end up on sleeves or the back.

This also leads to regular overhauls. Many teams launch new kits at the start of a season, knowing loyal fans and collectors will want the latest design. Special-edition kits—like those used for breast cancer awareness or to honor a public figure—can become hot items, even for casual fans. This business model thrives on novelty. A fresh look is more likely to cause excitement (and generate revenue) than rolling out the exact same design year after year.

There’s another reason some kits keep changing: copyright. By adjusting designs and colour patterns, teams ensure their new merchandise can’t be easily copied by counterfeiters. Constant updates force imitators to stay on their toes. While some fans roll their eyes at the frequency of these changes, it’s a proven tactic across multiple sports.

1992 World Cup: The Memorable Multicolour Stripes

The 1992 World Cup introduced not just coloured kits, but a shared aesthetic across all participating teams. Along the chest were those diagonal stripes or bands in various hues, which gave an unusual sense of unity to the event. Pakistan’s victory made that green jersey iconic—fans still talk about it decades later. The colour-coded uniform also made it easier for viewers to differentiate teams on TV, especially for those new to the sport. Australia’s kit, a predominantly canary yellow, matched well with their home turf advantage. England’s sky-blue kit added a lighter contrast to the palette. While some stripes may look dated by today’s standards, they remain part of cricket folklore.

That World Cup is also remembered for South Africa’s debut in a major ICC tournament after returning to international cricket. Their green kit, with touches of yellow, symbolised a hopeful new chapter for cricket in that region.

Lesser-Known Tales: Beige Brigade and More

New Zealand’s old-school beige kit from the 1980s was once considered dowdy, but it’s undergone a surprise renaissance in recent years, with fans wearing “Beige Brigade” shirts as a playful nod to Kiwis’ cricket heritage. The colour itself didn’t scream excitement, but it grew on people over time, showing that sometimes the oddest design can become a cult favorite.

Another interesting tale is the West Indies’ signature maroon. It’s closely tied to the cultural identity of the Caribbean islands, and while different sponsors and designers have put their own spin on it, that maroon has remained constant. It links modern fans with legends of the past like Viv Richards and Clive Lloyd, reminding everyone of the region’s illustrious cricketing legacy.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe has occasionally rotated between deep red and other shades for their ODI shirts, partly influenced by changes in sponsorship and partly by efforts to spark a fresh image. Pakistan’s green has sometimes ventured into neon territory. India has toyed with lighter blues or even tri-colour accents. Each variation might seem small, but they can spark conversations—and, of course, spur new sales.

When Wearing a Rival’s Jersey Feels Wrong

Sports can be tribal. Ask any fan who has grudgingly worn a friend’s jersey from a rival team, maybe because it was the only clean shirt available. It’s a bizarre feeling, as though you’re temporarily crossing party lines. That sense of loyalty to your own team colours is exactly what franchises aim to harness. The more attached you are, the more likely you’ll be to buy the next version—or steadfastly refuse to wear a rival’s gear under any circumstance.

Yet some designs are so universally admired that fans from all backgrounds collect them for sheer aesthetic appeal. Retro kits often fall into this category. They tap into the nostalgia factor, whether it’s an Australia shirt from the Steve Waugh era or a West Indies uniform from the 1970s. These designs can be conversation starters, bridging gaps between fans of different teams

Colours That Sell and Those That Don’t

It’s no secret some colours are more popular than others. Darker shades like navy, black, or deep red often top the charts in terms of sales. They’re easy to wear casually and can blend well with jeans or everyday clothing. More experimental colours, like hot pink or neon green, might polarise folks—some love the boldness; others find it off-putting. The Sydney Sixers, for instance, wear a bright pink in the BBL, which might have sounded wild on paper, but it’s worked out surprisingly well. It sets the team apart in a league already brimming with distinctive looks.

Sometimes, countries or teams also choose colours that reflect their national flags or cultural symbols. This helps create an immediate emotional link. For instance, South Africa’s green and gold combos represent the protea and other national emblems, while India’s blue evokes the colour in its flag’s wheel. These choices resonate well with local fans and can shape the team’s wider identity.

Personal Favorites and Why We Keep Debating

For me, Sri Lanka’s kits remain near the top. The blend of blue and yellow consistently offers a sleek style that feels classic and modern at once. The BBL’s approach also scores high in my book. The single-colour-plus-black scheme is straightforward, yet appealing. Brisbane Heat’s teal or Melbourne Stars’ green is unmistakable, which helps casual viewers quickly know who’s playing.

Over time, we form emotional attachments to certain looks, whether it’s the 1992 World Cup stripes, New Zealand’s beige, or a beloved local team’s colours. Part of that is nostalgia, but part of it is also the power of brand identity done right. Interestingly, test cricket has mostly avoided dramatic kit changes beyond the introduction of names and numbers on the back in some series, sticking to white attire that stands for tradition.

Why It All Matters

Cricket kits reflect more than just style preferences. They’re commercial products that generate revenue, bind fans to a team, and can even serve as canvases for cultural storytelling. A well-designed kit can inspire loyalty and spur discussions among fans and non-fans alike. A questionable design can spark memes and jokes, but even negative buzz can sometimes drive sales (because, let’s face it, some folks adore collecting “ugly” jerseys for the fun of it).

One example that comes to mind is India’s orange-and-navy-blue jersey from the 2019 ODI setup. Certain sections of the fanbase were thrilled to see a change from the classic “Men in Blue,” while others felt it was too drastic a departure from the usual identity. Opinions flew around social media for weeks, showing how passionately cricket supporters respond to kit adjustments.

We might laugh at how often new designs roll out, but each adjustment—be it a colour tweak, fresh sponsor logo placement, or a nod to local culture—keeps the conversation alive. These shifts feed directly into the continuous interplay between tradition and modernity that makes cricket so intriguing. You can be the staunchest traditionalist, praising the elegance of all-white Test uniforms, or the biggest T20 fanatic, rocking a luminous pink jersey with pride. Both viewpoints have their place.

The next time you see a team unveil its latest colours—whether it’s a refined update or a bold departure—take a moment to think about the layers of decision-making at play. There’s marketing, brand loyalty, cultural influences, and even a hint of historical evolution. What started with Kerry Packer’s coloured outfits and the 1992 World Cup’s diagonal stripes has grown into a multi-faceted culture of kit design. And through all these changes, fans still argue, celebrate, and occasionally cringe at what their favorite (or rival) team decides to wear.

Perhaps your grandma will always say the whites look the smartest. Perhaps your fashion-savvy friend will always judge the colour combos. And maybe you’re somewhere in between—enjoying the wild transformations of T20 leagues, while still feeling a tinge of nostalgia for the simpler days. One thing’s for sure: as long as cricket continues to evolve, the debate over what’s stylish, timeless, or downright strange in the world of kits will keep us entertained—and keep us coming back for more.