The IPL season is here once again, and the entire country is buzzing with excitement over their favorite teams and players. As the stakes rise, the BCCI leaves no stone unturned in ensuring peak performance. To fuel these athletes and make every match unforgettable, they source nothing but the finest equipment from the most renowned suppliers. Here’s a glimpse into the elite names behind the magic:
Adidas Partnership
Adidas is the official kit sponsor for the BCCI, providing match, training, and travel wear for all Indian teams, including men’s, women’s, and youth teams. This multi-year partnership began in June 2023 and runs until March 2028. Adidas designs and manufactures jerseys, kits, and other merchandise exclusively for BCCI across all formats of the game.
Cricket Bats
Players use bats from brands like :
- SG (Sanspareils Greenlands)
- MRF, SS (Sareen Sports)
- Gray-Nicolls
- Gunn & Moore
- Kookaburra
- New Balance, and DSC.
These companies are known for producing high-quality cricket bats using premium English and Kashmir willow.
Cricket Balls
- SG (Sanspareils Greenlands): SG is one of the most trusted cricket ball manufacturers in India. SG Test Cricket Balls are approved by the BCCI for all first-class domestic tournaments. These balls are made from high-quality alum-tanned leather, ensuring durability and consistent performance.
- Kookaburra: Kookaburra Turf White balls are used in official ODI and T20 matches. These balls are made in Australia using selected first-grade steer hide leather and a 5-layer quilted center for superior performance.
- SS County: SS County balls are also approved by the BCCI for use in all first-class domestic tournaments in India. They are made from alum-tanned leather and meet stringent quality standards.
Helmets
- Shrey: Known for producing a range of cricket helmets, Shrey offers models like the Pro Guard Stainless Steel Helmet and Match Cricket Helmets, designed for safety and comfort. Prices for Shrey helmets typically start around ₹1,155 and can go up to ₹3,720 depending on the model and features.
- SG (Sanspareils Greenlands): SG manufactures various helmets, including the Aero Shield 2.0 and Carbofab models. These helmets are popular among players for their durability and protective features, with prices ranging from ₹1,511 to ₹2,389.
- Masuri: This brand is well-regarded for its innovative helmet designs that prioritize player safety. Masuri helmets are widely used at professional levels and comply with international safety standards.
- Kookaburra: Another prominent manufacturer, Kookaburra produces high-quality helmets that provide excellent protection for players during matches.
Protective Gear
In addition to helmets, the BCCI sources various protective gear such as:
- Batting Pads: Essential for player safety while batting.
- Wicketkeeping Gloves: Designed to provide grip and protection for wicketkeepers.
- Thigh Guards and Chest Guards: Additional protective equipment used by players to minimize injury risk.
Footwear:
- Adidas is also known for producing top-quality cricket shoes, providing the right grip and comfort for the players on different pitches. Mention how players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma often rely on these shoes for their performance on the field.
- Puma and Asics are also popular brands in the IPL, with many international players opting for their footwear during matches. A section highlighting their innovations in shoe technology could add value.
Gloves:
- Brands like SG, MRF, and Kookaburra manufacture these with unique padding technology to give players the right balance of comfort and protection.
Bat Sensors
- SG | Str8bat
- Manufacturer: Sanspareils Greenlands Pvt. Ltd., Meerut, India
- Product: SG|Str8bat Cricket Bat Sensor
- Features: A lightweight sensor that attaches to the bat via Velcro and syncs with the Str8bat app for real-time data analysis. It tracks batting metrics such as bat speed, angles, and shot efficiency, with unlimited cloud storage for session data.
- SmartCricket.com | BatSense
- Product: ICC-approved BatSense
- Features: Captures performance metrics like bat speed, back-lift angle, and follow-through, offering 3D analysis of shots via a mobile app. It is officially approved by the ICC for professional use.
- StanceBeam Striker
- Manufacturer: StanceBeam
- Features: Fits on top of the bat grip and provides real-time feedback on batting metrics such as bat swing, speed, power, and shot efficiency. The data is stored on the cloud and can be analyzed using the StanceBeam app.
- Spektacom PowerBat Sticker
- Founder: Anil Kumble
- Features: A smart sticker that transforms any regular bat into a PowerBat. It connects wirelessly to an app to provide real-time batting insights like impact location, velocity, and twist. This technology is backed by AI and used for advanced analytics.
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