Nike and Team India's R. Ashwin Unveils Innovative Cricket Shoes to Dominate the Game

BENGALURU, April 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Team India Cricketer was Joined by Former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting to Launch Nike Lunardominate and Nike Lunaraccelerate

Nike and Team India player R. Ashwin were joined by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting today to unveil Nike's most innovative cricket shoes to date - Nike Lunardominate (Batting) and Nike Lunaraccelerate (Bowling) - offering a new level of innovation that provides unrivaled comfort, support and stability while facing or delivering the ball. 

The Nike Lunardominate and Nike Lunaraccelerate shoes come in a striking white, blue and orange color way and feature Nike's renowned Lunarlon technology, providing enhanced cushioning that delivers dynamic support with a soft, yet responsive ride. 

In keeping with Nike's design approach, this latest evolution of cricket shoes started with close athlete collaboration at the grassroots and elite level of the game. As a result, Nike's design team was able to address specific demands and deliver the unique requirements of today's batsmen and bowlers.

Key insights revealed a need for lightweight supportive footwear that is breathable to withstand long periods on the field, at the crease or delivering lengthy spells of bowling. Stability was another critical benefit, particularly to the fast bowling community and to the batsmen looking to dominate the opponents attack.

"As a batsman, I'm looking for the right balance of support, stability and comfort from my shoes that enables me to focus 100% on my innings," said Virat Kohli, Team India batsman. "Nike Lunardominate combines the latest technical benefits and design which gives my game an edge. The margins for success at first class and test level cricket can be very small and so a comfortable well balanced shoe definitely helps."

Influenced by the insights of some of India's biggest cricket stars including Virat Kohli and R. Ashwin, along with international players including Daniel Vettori, Nike's design team created the latest cricket footwear as a fully integrated solution focused around stability, flexibility and breathability for today's cricketers. 

Some of Nike's most successful footwear technologies including Nike's renowned Lunarlon are incorporated into both shoes to enhance performance. To meet the demands of a faster and more technical game today, adaptive fit holds the mid foot in place for added stability and restricts unnecessary movement.

"At Nike, everything we do starts with the athlete and our approach to the Nike Lunardominate and Nike Lunaraccelerate was no different - working closely with Virat Kohli and grassroots cricketers was invaluable to the design process," said Cory McCullagh, senior footwear designer, Nike, Inc. "The result provides batters and bowlers with our lightest and most innovative cricket shoes to date that will meet the demands of the elite and everyday cricket player."  

Mesh ventilation on the upper of both shoes helps increase breathability, enabling athletes to remain comfortable during long periods of play. The forefoot flex grooves on the outsole of the shoe provide enhanced flexibility of movement, while the strategically spaced spikes provide better grip and stability for players while bowling, batting or fielding.  

Nike Lunardominate (weighing 453 grams for a men's size US 9.5) and Nike Lunaraccelerate (weighing 464 grams for a men's size US 9.5) will also be available in an alternative black and volt color way. Each shoe will be available at Nike branded retail and sports retailers from April 1, 2013.

About Nike, Inc.

Nike, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories, and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, Nike's earnings releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at http://investors.nikeinc.com and individuals can follow @Nike.

Primary Media Contact: Keerthana Ramakrishnan, [email protected], 91-80-41343161

Secondary Media Contact: Ashwin Kumar, [email protected], 91-80-41343110