Punjab’s Jalandhar already known as one of India’s biggest sports goods hubs is once again in the spotlight this IPL season and this time the focus is on the role it is playing behind the scenes by supplying cricket gear to teams.
A Jalandhar-based company Versant Sports has been exclusively supplying cricket equipment to the Gujarat Titans in this ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and the company is providing key gear such as bats, gloves, thigh pads and other protective equipment for the team.
While fans often focus on players and matches much of the equipment used on the field comes from manufacturing hubs like Jalandhar and along with Meerut the city forms a major part of India’s sports goods industry and in fact nearly 60 per cent of the country’s exports in football gear and protective equipment come from Jalandhar making it a strong base for sports manufacturing which highlights how the city contributes not just locally but also to international-level sports as well.
Versant Sports is founded by Jalandhar-born cricketer Taruwar Kohli who has previously played in the IPL and was part of India’s Under-19 World Cup team in 2008 and trough his company he is now connected to the game in a different way by contributing to the equipment side of professional cricket.
The company’s product range includes bats, gloves, leg guards, arm guards and junior kits at different price points.
With IPL being one of the most-watched cricket leagues in the world Jalandhar’s involvement through equipment supply once again underlines its importance in the sports industry and the city continues to play a key role in supporting the game at the highest level.