Shubman Gill may be growing into the role of India’s Test captain with bat and brain, but his wardrobe choices are giving the ICC a headache with keeping a special eye on him. After the black socks incident in Leeds, Shubman Gill could’ve found himself in hot water again, that too, at Lord’s, where India and England are battling for the third Test match. While he’s still a work in progress as far as captaincy is concerned, Gill has been in sublime touch this series. However, his habit of adding colours to the “whites” could land him in trouble.
ICC rules and vest that nearly breached Shubman Gill
During the national anthems ahead of the third Test at Lord’s, Gill was spotted wearing a red vest under his white jersey, an apparent breach of the ICC’s strict clothing regulations for Test cricket. While it may seem trivial to some, the ICC’s clothing regulations are clear and strict when it comes to Test cricket.
Under Article 19.44 of the ICC Clothing and Equipment Regulations, any visible undergarment in a Test match must be white. “No coloured vests, undershirts, or compression garments should be visible to the naked eye,” the rule states. Gill, possibly unaware at first, was quick to act.
Just before play began, he buttoned up his shirt, effectively concealing the red vest from view and avoiding what could have turned into a disciplinary issue.
Black socks at Headingley
This wasn’t the first time Gill’s kit choices have attracted attention. During the first Test at Headingley, he was seen wearing black socks, which was another no-no under ICC rules. Article 19.45 clearly specifies that players must wear socks that are white, cream, or light grey. Black socks, much like a red vest, break the code.
Once again, Gill corrected the issue the next day, switching to regulation whites and sidestepping any formal action. Not to forget, Gill made another unintentional breach of contract in the second Test in Birmingham. After his second century at Edgbaston, Gill was seen in a ‘Nike’ black vest. It was the time when all cameras were panned out to him, with the skipper declaring India’s innings just before the end of Day 4. It was controversial since BCCI’s official apparel partners are Adidas, who have a reportedly INR 250-300 crore deal.
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