Cricket World Cup 2023 jerseys ranked from best to worst

A look at the playing kits of teams participating in the 50-over showpiece event in India

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam leaves the ground after being dismissed during the 2023 World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand in Hyderabad on September 29, 2023. AP

Pakistan's Agha Salman, centre, celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra during their World Cup warm-up match in Hyderabad. AP

Afghanistan's players celebrate the dismissal of Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne during their warm-up game in Guwahati. AP

Netherlands' Logan Van Beek, left, after taking the wicket Australia's Cameron Greenof during their warm-up match in Thiruvananthapuram. AP

Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka during a practice game in Guwahati. Getty

South Africa's Lungi Ngidi during a practice match in Thiruvananthapuram. AP

India captain Rohit Sharma. Getty

Australia's Mitchell Starc, second left, with teammates in Thiruvananthapuram. AP

England players celebrate the wicket of Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto during a practice match in Guwahati. AP

Bangladesh's Tanzid Hasan Tamim during a warm-up match in Guwahati. AP

The ODI World Cup starts in Ahmedabad with a clash between defending champions England and the last edition's losing finalists New Zealand.

After much uncertainty, delays and rained-off warm-up matches, the action begins at the biggest cricket venue in the world – the 132,000-capacity Narendra Modi Stadium.

Over the next month and a half 10 teams will look to win the top prize in 50-over cricket. And they will do so in their traditional colours, which form part of the kits.

Here we take a look at the World Cup 2023 kits and rate them from most liked to least.

New Zealand

Rachin Ravindra, left, and Ish Sodhi of New Zealand. Getty

The best jersey of the 2023 World Cup. Simple, striking and a design pattern that pays homage to arguably the finest collective bunch of World Cup kits – the 1996 edition.

You can almost never go wrong with black and the Kiwis have got the perfect amount of accents to make the kit pop. A collector’s item.

Pakistan

Pakistan's Shadab Khan. AP

A classic kit with a nod to arguably Pakistan’s finest World Cup attire – 1999. The star from the national flag is placed prominently and artistically across the torso, which also helps set it apart from the other dark green outfits in the tournament.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz. AP

The most eye-catching kit of the tournament. Afghanistan have gone heavy with the design elements and the result is a visual delight. The pattern on the jersey is quite mesmerising, even though some might feel there is a bit too much going on there. But full marks for concept.

India

India's Rohit Sharma in Ahmedabad. Reuters

The home team’s light blue kit looks fresh. The shoulder design, a signature style of sponsors adidas, gives prominence to the national flag colours.

India's recent World Cup kits did not have the country's colours prominently on it but they have done so this time, just like in 2003, 2007 and 2011.

Netherlands

Netherlands team during a World Cup warm-up match in Thiruvananthapuram. AP

The second most distinctive colour of this World Cup. Orange is synonymous with the Dutch and they have continued that tradition, while adding a striking blue motif on the sleeve.

Sri Lanka

Dunith Wellalage of Sri Lanka in Guwahati. Getty

A magnificent lion design adds character to the overall look. However, the design element gets lost on the side of the jersey. Could have done more with that great template.

South Africa

Rassie van der Dussen, right, of South Africa with Quinton de Kock. Getty

Looks like another dark green kit but the Proteas have smartly integrated their national flag design across the shoulders of the jersey, providing visual relief in an otherwise simple kit.

Australia

Sean Abbott of Australia. Getty

The Aussies have done hardly anything with their kit. Just dipped their playing attire in canary yellow – which is undoubtedly the most recognisable and awe-inspiring colour in cricket.

A few prominent star symbols on the jersey would have made it memorable.

England

England's Moeen Ali. AP

A very basic design for the defending champions with minimalistic patterns on a dark blue kit. Their 2019 kit was absolutely brilliant. Should have stuck to those shades.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh players celebrate the wicket of England's Liam Livingstone. AP

Nothing to write home about. At quick glance, you might struggle to differentiate between the Bangladesh and South Africa kits. The Tigers have kept the red stripes to a minimum.