New Delhi: Hockey India has defended its decision to replace the Indian men’s and women’s teams’ traditional blue jerseys with saffron kits for the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, saying the move was driven by on-field visibility requirements and player feedback rather than any other consideration. The decision, however, has sparked criticism from former India captain Viren Rasquinha, who questioned the departure from the team’s iconic colour.
The new jerseys were unveiled ahead of the World Cup to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands. According to Hockey India, the blue playing kit often blended with the blue synthetic turf used at international venues, making it difficult for players to distinguish teammates during matches. After discussions with coaches and players, alternative colours, including yellow and saffron, were considered before saffron was finalised.
The federation said the new jersey has been designed to reflect India’s identity, featuring Mandala-inspired patterns and “INDIA” written in Devanagari script. It added that saffron symbolises courage, sacrifice and victory, making it an appropriate choice for the national team.
The decision has triggered a debate within the hockey community. Former India captain Viren Rasquinha criticised the change, calling the replacement of the traditional blue jersey “embarrassing” and questioning the rationale behind altering a colour that has long been associated with Indian hockey on the international stage.
Despite the criticism, Hockey India has maintained that the switch was made after extensive consultation with players and support staff, insisting that the primary objective was to improve visibility on the field while presenting a design that reflects the country’s sporting identity.
