Nike’s initial pricing of the national team’s brand-new light-blue jersey at Rs 4,695 evoked a series of reactions across social media, with commentators taking to Twitter to mock the jersey makers and their price point.
Most users baulked at the amount, comparing to European football team jersey, more or less available at the same or even cheaper prices.
Yeah well, jersey and ticket prices have a massive impact on building a passionate fan base. Tough for Indian mass to pay this amount!
— Aravind Mokkapati (@mokka_10) September 14, 2017
Well done, Nike! pic.twitter.com/aMTV5bOGrd
— Atishay Agarwal (@Atishay_Agarwal) September 13, 2017
There were jokes and plenty of them. One of them involved the Indian Under-17 team’s striker Komal Thatal’s hair and the contrast in designs with the jersey. A hairy situation for Nike indeed!
Others chose to buy a light blue t-shirt in solidarity with the colours but not opt for the jersey, showcasing the great Indian jugaad system at play.
Komal thattal's hair has more designs than Indian Team Jersey. 4600 for a light blue Banyan with orange border. Nike Unbelievable.
— Subin Michael (@subin_mj) September 7, 2017
Not a chance in hell. It doesn't even look good. Not even worth 2k if you ask me.
— Vijay.R.B (@TheBaronVj) September 14, 2017
I'll stick to a blue t-shirt/shirt/polo instead. https://t.co/1KUQWKKZiU
I will buy DDFC training kit, same colour. 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/JJo8783XR3
— Shivam Kss (@shivamshail) September 14, 2017
Bro, I Got two United Authentic Home Jersey For 54 USD ( In Season End Sale) & they want me to pay 74USD for this Baniyan with Border 😏😏
— Suraj (@Bycyclekick) September 13, 2017
Others chose to speak about replicas and how local stores would be providing cheap knock-offs at a fifth of the price.
The Maidan Market in Kolkata will have a replica's replica in 10th of the price. Just as it had added other colours. Thnx, they do!
— Sumit Mazumdar (@sumitmazumdar) September 14, 2017
This percentage of people buying these jerseys is still very less i feel. Majority chunk of people buy semi og 🤑 that too for 500 bucks https://t.co/ygVmq4bwka
— Uday Akasapu (@Yardbirdie) September 14, 2017
Rs. 4,695!! In this market? What a joke!! In ISL, 1000's preferred to buy fake replicas of KBFC and MCFC even though original priced at 999. https://t.co/ekumHXyUOS
— Sharan Karnani (@sharank14) September 13, 2017
Well, atleast Jinx was happy with his jersey, gifted to him by Nike.
Excited to cheer the Indian football team for the u-17 World Cup. Thank you Nike for the Jersey. #justdoit #nike #u17WC @AUThackeray pic.twitter.com/WfD7YT0pFF
— ajinkyarahane88 (@ajinkyarahane88) September 8, 2017
If you thought the price point was demoralising, there was a greater shock for those who mustered up the courage (and coughed up the dough!) to buy the colours.
Clearly, delivering the jersey was a complex process as online retailers decided to slap a 750 rupees tag on shipping charges for funsies.
That is not all...🙄 pic.twitter.com/NbUeKM5WVS
— Arpan (@Arpan1746) September 13, 2017
There were those who were being sarcastically hopeful.
I'm waiting for Flat 75% Off 😋😋😋
— Sunny Saharan (@Sunnysaharan111) September 14, 2017
Others decided to appeal to the highest authority of sport, hoping that the minister would shoot, err...tackle this problem.
@Ra_THORe sir the indian football team jersey is a li'l expensive to buy for ₹4500
— vaibhav tondon (@vaibhavtondon) September 10, 2017
Worldcup is appraoching.
Can you do some thing please?
Some souls suggested that the jerseys were not meant to be sold. With this pricing, it’s hard to disagree.
It's almost as if they're looking for an excuse to not sell this. High time AIFF got a sensible kit partner
— Vishnu Prasad (@visheprasad) September 13, 2017
Even Nike’s tagline wasn’t spared. Buy the jersey for the price of a limb (cue kidney jokes too)? Just Don’t Do It.
It must have gone like this.
— Shubham Naik (@miShubhN) September 13, 2017
AIFF: people demand for jersey, but we don't wanna
Nike: let's sell it at high price
AIFF: Just Do It 😂🤘