'What Is Wrong In Saffron Being The 1st Jersey?': Hockey India Hits Back After Criticism

Published 30 July 2026 · sports

'What Is Wrong In Saffron Being The 1st Jersey?': Hockey India Hits Back After Criticism Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 13:01 IST Indian

'What Is Wrong In Saffron Being The 1st Jersey?': Hockey India Hits Back After Criticism Published By, Last Updated: July 30, 2026, 13:01 IST Indian hockey teams have switched from blue to orange kits ahead of the next month's world cup events. Indian teams will don the new kit at the World Cup tournaments next month. (Screengrab/X) With former captain Viren Rasquinha putting out a strong objection to Hockey India’s (HI) decision to replace the traditional blue kits with saffron (orange) for the national teams, the governing body has responded by dismissing any “political" angle behind the change. A few days ago, HI unveiled the brand-new orange kit that will be worn by the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams at next month’s World Cup tournaments. Rasquinha had questioned the “logic" behind the move. “There is nothing political about it. What’s wrong in saffron being the first jersey, saffron is part of our tricolour.

Besides, change is always welcome," a senior HI official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. The official further claimed that the orange jersey would make it easier to track players, as the traditional blue colour tends to clash with the turf. “It creates low contrast, where players blend into the pitch. Wearing blue jersey on a blue turf can make it difficult for viewers to track players," the official claimed. Presenting the new India jersey! 🇮🇳Every stitch tells a story. Every pattern, every colour carries India’s pride. Our teams are ready to once again do the country proud at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026. 🎥: Select 2 (SD+HD)+ Khel & JioHotstar🗓️: August… pic.twitter.com/8GvwbByapq — Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 27, 2026 While unveiling the new jersey on its social media pages, Hockey India said the design and colour of the kit were meant to “tell a story" and carry “India’s pride".

HI said saffron symbolises courage, sacrifice and victory. “Inspired by the Indian national flag and the rising sun, it reflects new beginnings," the body stated. Along with saffron, the Indian teams will also have white jerseys featuring the same new design as part of their kits. The decision to change the colour of the main jersey from blue to saffron did not go down well with Rasquinha though. “I must say that @TheHockeyIndia has done many good things for… But this is embarrassing. The legacy & identity of the Indian team has always been BLUE. I wore the Blue jersey with pride for many years. Fans want to see our Indian team in blue. What is the logic of orange?," Rasquinha, who is also the CEO of Olympic Gold Quest, wrote on ‘X’. “My simple & humble point is on pride, identity & legacy," he added.