JAIPUR: The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday unveiled the official jersey for the 2022 season.
The 2022 Royals jersey is inspired by a unique Rajasthani design called the ‘Leheriya‘, meaning ‘wave’ in English. Dating back to the 17th century, the tie-and-dye patterns used in this design result in diagonal or v-shaped stripes, resembling the winds blowing across Rajasthan’s deserts.
The distinctive patterns, usually on brightly coloured cloth, are formed through ‘resist dyeing’ – a technique that is unique to the state.
The complex yet beautiful patterns were eventually patronised by royalty in Rajasthan back in the day, with artisans being rewarded for their work. Not just the jersey, but even the turbans (‘saafa’) that the Royals were spotted wearing on their arrival in Mumbai, are designed using the same technique. An inherently royal part of traditional Rajasthan attire, these ‘saafas’ are commonly worn in the state’s rural areas to date.
FMX legend Robbie Maddison was the star of a jersey reveal project which showcased the colourful city of Jaipur in a whole new light. The Australian daredevil who is also a Red Bull athlete was given the task of delivering the latest Rajasthan Royals’ jersey at their home ground, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
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He zipped past some of Jaipur’s most iconic locations as well as narrow bylanes on his motorbike to personally deliver the new Royals jersey. Maddison rode all the way up to the roof of the stadium, paused for a few seconds and launched his bike straight down the building and onto the cricket field, successfully delivering the package to Sanju Samson and Yuzvendra Chahal.
“It was really amazing,” said Royals’ captain Sanju Samson, who signed in for the special delivery. “Robbie’s amazing stunts were something that I’ve seen for the very first time in person, having only watched previously on TV. (Would I ever try this sport?) Maybe I’ll try it out for myself also once I’ve stopped playing cricket (laughs),” he added.
The newly Kitted Rajasthan Royals will begin their 2022 campaign on March 29.
IPL 2022: A biker jumps off from 5th floor to reveal Rajasthan Royal’s new jersey – WATCH
Robbie rode up the five-storey administration building at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, took a deep breath, and launched his bike off the building and onto the cricket field, where he successfully delivered a new jersey to the Rajasthan Royals players.
FMX daredevil Robbie Maddison jumped off a five-storey building to present the new jersey to the stunned Rajasthan Royals players at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
The Australian daredevil Robbie Maddison was given the task of delivering the latest Rajasthan Royals’ jersey at their home ground. With the package secured in his backpack, Robbie zipped past some of the most iconic locations in the city, like the Amer Fort, Patrika Gate, and Jal Mahal Lake.
After weaving past obstacles and traffic at breakneck speed, Robbie was stopped at the Stadium gates by security guards. But he managed to dodge security and flew his FMX bike over barriers making his way to the cricket field the only way he knew how – from the roof!
The Red Bull athlete rode up the five-storey administration building at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, took a deep breath and performed what he described as “a world first” – he launched his bike off the building and onto the cricket field, where he successfully delivered the package to the Rajasthan Royals players.
“It was really amazing,” said Royals’ captain Sanju Samson, who signed in for the special delivery. “Robbie’s amazing stunts were something that I’ve seen for the very first time in person, having only watched previously on TV. (Would I ever try this sport?) Maybe I’ll try it out for myself also once I’ve stopped playing cricket (laughs).”
Yuzvendra Chahal was left awestruck by Robbie’s final stunt.
“I’m very impressed with the whole concept behind the reveal, seeing the stunts from the big man, I was just astonished to see how he’s able to do these so fearlessly. Who does things like these?,” he asked incredulously.
Meanwhile, Jake Lush McCrum, Chief Executive Officer, Rajasthan Royals, reacted, “We are delighted to present the new official jersey of the Royals for the 2022 season. The jersey is inspired by traditional Rajasthani Leheriya patterns, given a contemporary twist. We wanted to create a jersey that our fans will wear year-round and I’m confident we’ve achieved that with this design. With regards to the jersey launch, each year we work with our long-term partner, Red Bull, to come up with a really special and memorable event. I think the team has taken it to another level for 2022! I doubt there has ever been a reveal like this in the history of sport and I hope it excites sports fans around the world, while giving them an insight into the beautiful state of Rajasthan.”
For Robbie, too, it had been a leap of faith. Though the 40-year-old has done some death-defying stunts around the world, it was the first time that he launched himself off such a great height.
“This film is a creative piece, and we had a challenging environment to do it in, but we managed to get it done,” Robbie said.
“Every piece was challenging. A lot of people around. And a lot of people who were inquisitive. No one was there of course to cause any harm, but just having so many people around it made it challenging. The big highlight for me was coming off the roof of the Rajasthan Royals administration building.”
“Jumping off the five-storey building at the arena was definitely challenging. It’s never really been done before on a motorcycle, so it’s kind of like a world first,” said Robbie.
Once Robbie had handed them the package, the players quickly tried on the new threads for the first time.
The new jersey looks very cool,” Samson said of the jersey. “We have added a different element to it, and I’m proud that as a franchise, we’re able to promote our home state’s renowned textile patterns.”
While a vibrant pink remains the dominant colour, it is contrasted with a sturdy blue on the sleeves. The two colours on the kit are significant for Rajasthan Royals and are part of what the franchise stands for. Pink – which makes up the front and the piping on the collar and sleeves – represents the strong women of the state, and the admiral blue – on the main collar and sleeves – stands for poise.
Rajasthan will begin their 2022 campaign on March 29.
