Rohit Sharma unveils India's new jersey for 2026 T20 World Cup

Former India captain Rohit Sharma unveiled the national team’s new T20I jersey on Wednesday during the mid-innings break of the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur. He was joined on stage by Tilak Varma for the presentation, where BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and Adidas India GM Vijay Chauhan formally handed over the World Cup jerseys to the duo.
The new jersey, created by Adidas and the BCCI, blends a modern high-performance silhouette with bold, nostalgic design cues. Drawing inspiration from the iconic striped India jerseys of the 1990s, the kit introduces contemporary pattern innovation with a retro twist, while retaining the legendary neckline from the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning jersey.
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To tackle the more intense warm-weather conditions, body-mapped 3D engineered mechanical stretch fabrics incorporating adidas' latest CLIMACOOL+ materials wick sweat faster, keeping players dryer for longer. Perforated wide 3-stripe tapes enable ultimate breathability, while strategically placed mesh holes on both fabric and trims deliver best-in-class air permeability, ensuring optimal ventilation even in the most demanding climates.
“It’s been a long journey. We won our first World Cup in 2007, and we had to wait more than 15 years to win the next one. It’s been a long road with plenty of ups and downs, but it felt great to lift the trophy again. Now, with the World Cup happening in India, it’s going to be an exciting tournament. My best wishes are always with the team, and I’m sure everyone will be behind them, supporting them and doing their best," said Rohit at the jersey launch ceremony during the mid-innings break.
Rohit, who led India to the T20 World Cup title in 2024, was earlier named tournament ambassador for the 2026 edition, which will be hosted in India and Sri Lanka.
India’s current T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, was not present for the ceremony, as he is in Lucknow, representing Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with matches scheduled on either side of the event. Vice-captain Shubman Gill, recovering from a neck injury, is continuing his rehab at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
The 2026 T20 World Cup will run from February 7 to March 8, featuring 20 teams, including debutants Italy. Defending champions India will open their campaign at the Wankhede Stadium on February 7 against the USA. They have been placed in Group A, with the top two sides progressing to the Super Eight stage. The tournament will then move into the semi-finals before the title clash on March 8, which will be held either in Ahmedabad or Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s qualification.
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