Over the years, the majority of the IPL franchises have chosen a blue-coloured jersey for themselves
Since 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been more than just a domestic T20 league. The tournament is about cricket, but it also involves tonnes of money, and with that money comes flamboyant celebrations, parties, music videos, fashion and style statements.
Unfortunately, fashion or style statements aren't seen on the pitch but only in carefully curated content on every franchise's Instagram reels. In fact, on the field, it is often difficult to distinguish between two teams because the franchise has transitioned into blue-coloured jerseys over the years.
Franchises have enough money to bring on board the best designers from the fashion industry, but for reasons unknown, they don't. Maybe they prefer blue because the Indian cricket team's jersey is blue. However, that doesn't help them because it affects their brand identity.
If we look at other domestic T20 leagues, let's take the Big Bash League from Australia and look at its colours. Teams have fiery orange to neon green jerseys, and every team on the pitch looks different. In short, they are easily recognisable, which helps them create their brand identity.
There's no doubt that almost every IPL franchise has a massive number of supporters, be it on the pitch or on social media platforms. However, if we consider brand identity, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have nailed the game with their jersey. To some extent, even Sunrisers Hyderabad has put some thought into it.
Since 2008, Chennai Super Kings has meant yellow—the team picked a bright colour and never ditched it. Today, yellow = CSK and vice versa, and their fans are known as the 'Yellow Army'.
Even KKR dared to go for the black colour – a shade that is not considered auspicious in India – but Kolkata did go with black and gold. Yes, the team did not stick with it and switched to purple, but at least they didn't go for blue. Purple and gold became KKR's identity.
Even Sunrisers Hyderabad played with colours and picked orange for their jersey, creating a visual difference.
At present, only the above-mentioned three franchises have a brand identity by virtue of looks.
Let's begin with the Mumbai Indians, who began their IPL journey with blue in 2008. They can't be blamed for sticking to their choice of colour. However, over the years, others have joined the bandwagon.
For example, Delhi Capitals, formerly known as Delhi Daredevils, had a black and red jersey but moved to blue. Rajasthan Royals also sported a blue jersey, but in recent seasons, they have incorporated pink to give a refreshing look. However, blue remains the theme. Thankfully, the pink helmets serve as a differentiator.
Even Royal Challengers Bengaluru moved from red, black and golden to red, blue and golden. Newer franchises like Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants also wear blue-coloured jerseys.
Gujarat Titans could've taken some inspiration from the now-defunct Gujarat Lions, who had a bright orange jersey, whereas Lucknow Super Giants could have sported a colour that represents Lucknow and its culture, but NO!
The whole point is that while KKR and CSK have built a visual brand identity, others don't live up to the game because they all look the same.
With so much flamboyance on and off the pitch, why can't we have a little more play of colours in the jersey like the Big Bash League?
Last, but not least, look at premier football teams around the world. There's so much red in the Premier League, but are the Manchester United and Liverpool reds the same? They aren't, and neither are the whites of Real Madrid and Tottenham the same.
Given the IPL is here to stay for long, teams are also likely to stay, and therefore, visual identity must be every team's priority, just like CSK's yellow and KKR's purple.
