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Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha criticised Hockey India’s decision to replace the team’s iconic blue jersey with saffron ahead of the 2026 Hockey World Cup, calling it "embarrassing" and questioning the change. Hockey India said the new colour symbolises "courage, sacrifice & victory" and represents new beginnings. India’s men and women will begin their World Cup campaigns in Group D.
Hockey India will use saffron jerseys for the 2026 World Cup. According to Hockey India, the traditional blue jersey blended with the blue artificial turf used in international hockey, making it difficult for players to spot teammates during matches. The federation said players and coaches suggested different colours before saffron was chosen.
The unveiling of a saffron jersey for Indian hockey teams has sparked backlash from the Opposition, who accuse the BJP and RSS of ideological manipulation.
"Everything in the country is being saffronised," said former India captain Pargat Singh while criticizing Hockey India's decision.
The Indian men's and women's hockey teams will wear saffron jerseys instead of their traditional blue kits at next month's FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Hockey team's saffron jersey: Sporting decision or political symbol? Panel debates
Just because the government changed in Odisha, it should not change our national team colours, he said
Patnaik said the men’s and women’s teams had won Olympic medals wearing the blue jersey, with the national anthem playing on the world stage.
Indian hockey has changed its traditional blue jersey to saffron for upcoming tournaments. This shift has ignited significant criticism from former players and fans alike. Hockey India cited clashes with blue turf as the primary reason for the alteration. Players and coaches collectively chose orange, which is part of the Indian tricolour. The new saffron kits have arrived at national camps for player review.
Pak won with green, India with blue: Saffron hockey jersey comes under fire
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey questioned the jersey colour change process. He stated the decision lacked executive board discussion and his prior knowledge. Executive director RK Srivastava defended the saffron kit based on technical and performance factors. Other board members also raised concerns about transparency and accountability. This controversy emerges amid ongoing governance scrutiny for Hockey India.
“Logic: If the jersey is saffron, the mind may turn saffron!” Sibal wrote on X
"The decision to change the colour of the Indian hockey team's jersey is not merely a sports-related choice, but a matter deeply connected to the sentiments of millions of Indians and our sporting traditions.
The Indian men's and women's teams will wear saffron jerseys as their primary kit at the World Cup, which begins on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium. The move has drawn criticism from several former India captains. While Sreejesh said he has no problem with the jersey colour changing, he questioned the explanation that blue jerseys are difficult to see on blue hockey turfs.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey questions the director general's authority. He seeks accountability and transparency in the recent jersey colour change. Tirkey expressed surprise at learning about the redesign through social media. He emphasised the need for governance and consultation for symbolic decisions. The president requested a comprehensive reply with documentary evidence by Tuesday.