Nike is learnt to have approached the board at a working committee held a few weeks ago in Mumbai. “They approached us but the BCCI rejected their request,” a top official of the board said.
Nike India, which is the Apparel Sponsor of the team, had designed a T-shirt for the T20 World Cup with the tricolour displayed in a manner that was considered objectionable. BCCI had decided to stick to the one worn for the World Cup in 2011.
“The problem was the manner in which the BCCI logo was used. It looked more like Ashok Chakra,” a source said.
Ajinkya Rahane, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virendra Sehwag, Rohit Sharma and Irrfan Pathan had unveiled the new jersey. “Once I wear the national jersey, I know that I have to give my best. Having the national flag’s colours close to the heart is a good idea. Someone like me, who plays from the heart, will only feel better,” Sehwag had said then.
Interestingly, in its request, Nike has not specified any compensation amount. Remus D’Cruz, head of sports marketing at Nike, was not available for comment.