It’s quite likely that you’ve seen a small, plain ‘SHREY’ logo on the helmet of some top Indian cricketers in recent years. Top stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli don these branded helmets in high-stakes international fixtures, but many fans have no idea about the logo’s origin.
Let’s explore more details on the logo, and why it has become one of the most popular tags on Indian cricketers’ gear, even with its subtle presentation.
What Does the SHREY Logo Mean?
The SHREY logo is a direct tribute to Shrey Kohli, a deceased member of the popular entrepreneurial family based in Jalandhar, Punjab. His death triggered the founding of a top sports goods brand that continues to provide on-pitch protection for some of world cricket’s top stars.
Who Was Shrey?
Records show that Shrey Kohli was a diehard cricket fan and grew up around sports goods manufacturing hubs in Punjab. His family owns Kohli Sports Private Limited (TK Sports), a brand popular for some of the region’s best quality goods in cricket an overall athletic wear.
Shrey’s family expected him to be a part of the next generation of top sports goods manufacturers, judging from his love for cricket and other sports. Family expectations for Kohli’s future was cut short when tragedy struck in late 2012.
Shrey Kohli died in a tragic auto accident in November 2012, and this event sent shockwaves through the entire family. His death in that car accident caused severe grief to Shrey’s parents and siblings; however, the family managed to dish out a resilient response after losing their loved one.
What Did the Family Do After Shrey’s Passing?
The Kohli family designated a section of TK Sports to production of specialised sports equipment for player safety. Their signature helmet with the ‘SHREY’ tag aims to offer head protection for top players who require premium safety gear during games.
When did the SHREY Brand Launch?
The brand began production one year after Shrey died in a car accident. Its official launch signalled an expansion of TK Sports to fulfil a special purpose. The Kohli family reasoned that their brand should focus on offering safety to cricket players since they could not provide security for Shrey at the time of his demise.
How Did the SHREY Brand Become So Popular?
The SHREY brand gained rapid popularity among sports professionals through its founding company. TK Sports had a strong footing in the domestic sports goods manufacturing space before SHREY came along. The company’s leading status in domestic manufacturing of field hockey and cricket equipment contributed majorly to SHREY’s success story.
It didn’t take long before SHREY’s protective gear rivalled top sports goods makers in Australia, Europe, and America.
When did the SHREY Air Series Launch?
The SHREY Air Series launched years after its original predecessor became the go-to protective gear for top international batsmen and wicketkeepers. This series introduced a lighter version of the popular head gear and allowed players access to standard protective gear at minimal weight.
Indian professional batters trust the SHREY brand for its comfort, and its Air version added improved ease to perform at the highest level of cricket.
How Does the SHREY Brand Bring Back Memories of the Philip Hughes Incident?
Frank conversations about the safety of cricket took centre stage when Australian batter Philip Hughes died after a match-related injury. His tragic demise in 2014 fuelled the introduction of several safety measures towards preventing similar incidents across formats of the game.
Emphasis on the neck guards in traditional cricket kit designs received greater focus and boosted innovation among manufacturers. Hughes’ tragic passing and the Shrey incident both led to research into and development of top-grade safety gear for cricketers’ protection.
Why Do Professional Cricketers Prefer SHREY Gear?
The SHREY brand assures all of TK Sports attention to detail and durable manufacturing while assuring the highest standards. Professional cricketers trust the brand for its lightweight yet sturdy construction. The brand’s protective gear is a direct result of deep research to ensure no fatal flaws exist that could put professional players in harm’s way.
Do SHREY Helmets Pass BS 7928:2013 Regulations?
International sports safety regulations governing cricket require protective headgear to pass BS 7928:2013 standards. The regulations demand testing sports protective gear under rigorous conditions to ensure protection against paced objects like cricket balls flying at speeds over 100km per hour. SHREY helmets meet these standards, and this makes the range of protective gear ideal for use in international cricket matches.
