With the Indian Premier League (IPL) knocking on the doors of the new season, excitement among Indian cricket fans is at its peak.

Starting from Friday, March 22, the cash-rich tournament will feature a total of 10 city-based franchise teams competing. It’s that time of the year when best friends can become rivals, neighbors might clash over trivial matters, as everyone wants to see their favorite teams lift the prestigious trophy from their wardrobe.

Not only do fans keep an eye on the on-field performances, but they also pay attention to off-field events, wanting their franchise to triumph in every aspect. A staunch Kolkata Knight Riders supporter expressed disappointment for the 2024 IPL after seeing the team’s new jersey. They criticized the franchise’s design choice through a post on Ex (formerly Twitter).

That person shared a picture of Brendon McCullum, who represented Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the inaugural edition of the T20 tournament. KKR, based in Kolkata, sported a jersey with a combination of royal, black, and gold armor-like design in the 2008 IPL. Over time, along with modifications in the team’s emblem, the colors of the jersey have also been changed.

The initial logo of KKR featured a shiny Viking helmet on a black background with “Kolkata Knight Riders” written in gold. The franchise, owned by Shah Rukh Khan, retained this emblem for four seasons before opting for the current logo. However, before the 2010 IPL season, KKR decided to give a new look to their official jersey, changing the black color to purple, which has now become prestigious for them.

In their latest jersey, KKR has maintained the same combination of purple and gold, but this time they have opted for a different pattern. The shade of purple has been lightened, while intricate golden detailing can be seen on the sleeves.

Comparing KKR’s inaugural jersey to the new one, a fan wrote, “This is the biggest revolution in the history of the game.”

The first person wrote, “I feel like most jerseys have been downgraded now. But this one is the worst.” Another person said, “Oh, that old jersey was really good.”

Returning as a mentor under former captain Gautam Gambhir, KKR aims to make a strong statement in this IPL. Their last title came in 2014 under Gambhir’s leadership. In the previous season, KKR finished seventh in the standings after securing just six wins in the league stage.