Once seen as symbols of identity and pride, IPL kits today are often viewed as cluttered, inconsistent, and lacking emotional connection with fans.

Across franchises, supporters continue to passionately back their teams — whether it is the yellow army of Chennai Super Kings led by MS Dhoni or the red-and-blue faithful of Royal Challengers Bengaluru inspired by Virat Kohli. However, despite this loyalty, the jerseys themselves are no longer commanding the same admiration they once did.

When the IPL began in 2008, team jerseys played a central role in establishing identity. Colours like Chennai's yellow, Kolkata's black and gold, and Rajasthan's blue quickly became iconic.

Over time, however, the visual appeal has diminished. One of the primary reasons is the growing number of sponsor logos, which often dominate the design. Instead of being seamlessly integrated, these logos are frequently placed as afterthoughts, turning jerseys into what many fans describe as 'moving billboards'.

Designer Aaquib Wani, who has worked on cricket kits and major sporting events, highlights that sponsors are not the issue by themselves. The problem lies in how branding is incorporated.

In global sports like Formula One, teams manage to include multiple sponsors without compromising aesthetics. The difference, according to Wani, is that branding is integrated into the design rather than layered on top of it.

Another major issue affecting IPL jerseys is inconsistency. Teams frequently change designs every season, preventing fans from forming a lasting visual connection.

Unlike iconic kits in global sport — such as Brazil's yellow in football or Australia's green and gold in cricket — IPL teams often fail to build a long-term identity. Frequent redesigns, combined with varying sponsor demands, result in a lack of cohesion.

Wani notes that each franchise operates differently, with little standardisation in design approach. This leads to jerseys that feel disconnected rather than unified, weakening their overall impact.

Colour identity is another area where IPL jerseys fall short. Apart from a few teams like Chennai, Kolkata and Rajasthan, most franchises rely heavily on shades of red and blue.

While these colours are commercially safe, they limit creativity and make teams visually indistinguishable from one another. As a result, fans often connect more with players than with the jersey itself.

This is in stark contrast to teams that have stayed consistent with their palette over time, building strong recall and emotional attachment among supporters.

The lack of design appeal has also had a commercial impact. Fans are increasingly opting for counterfeit jerseys instead of official merchandise.

Earlier, official kits carried a sense of exclusivity, offering superior quality and design. Today, that distinction has blurred. Many fans feel that the materials used in official IPL jerseys do not justify their high price.

With counterfeit versions offering similar quality at a fraction of the cost — sometimes as low as Rs. 200 — supporters are less inclined to invest in original merchandise. This trend highlights a deeper issue of perceived value.

Experts believe the solution lies in adopting a more structured and long-term approach to design. One example often cited is the 1999 Cricket World Cup, where a centralised design system ensured consistency across all teams while maintaining uniqueness.

Introducing guidelines for sponsor placement and giving designers greater creative control could significantly improve the situation. Rather than prioritising short-term marketing gains, franchises need to focus on building a lasting visual identity.

Wani emphasises that involving design specialists early in the process is crucial. Treating jerseys as an extension of a team's brand — rather than just merchandise — can help restore their significance.

As the IPL continues to expand globally, its visual identity must evolve alongside its commercial success. Jerseys are more than just uniforms — they represent history, pride, and belonging.

For IPL teams to reconnect with fans, they need to prioritise consistency, creativity, and quality. Only then can these kits regain their iconic status and become something supporters are proud to wear, not just during matches, but as a lasting symbol of their loyalty.