New Zealand Blackcaps unveiled a special ODI jersey on October 11, 2026, named Kotahitanga to celebrate 100 years of sporting ties with India. The jersey will debut during the five‑match ODI series against India in New Zealand, beginning November 4, 2026, at Eden Park, Auckland. Kotahitanga, a Māori term meaning unity, reflects the collaborative spirit behind the design.
The sporting milestone dates back to the Indian Army hockey team’s tour of New Zealand in 1926, the earliest recorded major sporting engagement between the two nations. The jersey design features artistic contributions from three creators: Ben Thomason from Ngāti Raukawa ki Te Tonga, and Shiv Narandas and Jai Pancha, both from Gujarat.
“We’re absolutely wrapped with the design. 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. 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,” NZC Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Glenn Critchley was quoted as saying by The Hindustan Times.
Design elements reflect cultural significance from both nations
The design elements reflect deep cultural significance from both nations. Thomason wove Māori kōwhaiwhai patterns over a background of haehae lines to connect the living with those who have passed, honour the people who built the bond between the nations, and celebrate what it means to players, fans and those behind the scenes. Narandas and Pancha used three Indian motifs as the unifying elements: the lotus, India’s national flower; a repeating ogee pattern drawn from Indian architecture; and the mandala to provide a symmetrical framework aligning naturally with Māori design systems.
Players returning to the ODI squad for the India series
The tour comprises 12 matches over the coming weeks. India and New Zealand will play five T20 Internationals first, with the opening match on October 22 at Christchurch, followed by the five‑ODI series beginning November 4. Two Test matches will follow the ODI series.
Several players return to the ODI squad for this series after recent absences. Rachin Ravindra rejoins the ODI setup after missing the T20I squad due to a shoulder injury. Finn Allen and Lockie Ferguson also return to ODI cricket after three years away from the format. Tim Seifert features in the ODI squad following an absence of one and a half years from 50‑over cricket.
After the first three ODIs, several squad members will be released, with replacements joining the group for the two‑Test series, which begins four days after the final one‑day international concludes.