Aaquib Wani, a self-taught designer who runs a design studio in Delhi, has had a momentous year, creating the new jersey for the Indian cricket team. Wani expressed his immense pride and excitement about this significant opportunity. Recounting the experience, Wani shared, “Back in 2022, while designing a festival in Goa, I received a call from Adidas. They hinted at an exciting project and invited me to discuss it further. The anticipation during those two weeks before the meeting was intense, as I sensed something big was coming.”
The project turned out to be the design of the Indian cricket team’s jerseys. “I had to sign an NDA before the meeting, and as soon as I entered the room, I had a feeling it was related to cricket. When I found out it was for the Indian cricket team, I was ecstatic. In India, cricket and Bollywood reign supreme. I had designed jerseys for Real Kashmir Football Club and Rajasthan Royals before, but this was on another level,” Wani, 30, reminisced.
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Aaquib Wani revealed that the selection process involved multiple designers, and he was thrilled to have even been considered. “We had a week to submit our designs, and they would choose one. When they were happy with our presentation, it was a huge relief, but we still didn’t know if we were chosen. Just being part of the process was a significant opportunity. As someone who grew up watching and playing cricket, it felt like doing something for the country,” he said emotionally.
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Describing the design process, Wani emphasized the importance of player comfort. “The main focus was the comfort of the players, who spend hours on the field. We created prototypes using software and 3D designs, selected the fabric, and decided on the shade of blue. We wanted the jersey to tell a story, not just feature random graphics. We chose Ikat, a textile technique, as it looked cool, sporty, and geometric. We incorporated the tiger stripes, symbolizing India’s national animal, using Ikat, which was seen in the World Cup last year.”
For the Test jerseys, Wani wanted to add colors while adhering to strict guidelines. “Test jerseys have always been white, but I wanted to introduce colors. There are many rules regarding buttons, collar colors, and more that one has to consider while designing these jerseys.”
Discussing this year’s T-20 World Cup jersey, Wani said, “After last year’s World Cup, we were asked to gear up for the Twenty Twenty World Cup. We presented our ideas, focusing on solid block colors and the tricolor, rather than prints. The management and players loved the design, and it was an incredible feeling to know that our heroes appreciated our work. Being called a lucky charm when we won was the icing on the cake.”
Wani has also designed the official Indian jersey for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. “It’s an indescribable feeling. The authorities could have chosen any renowned designer, but they picked us. We prepared multiple designs for different styles and sports, and the process was thorough and enjoyable. 2024 has truly been a blissful year!” Wani concluded.
