Hockey India's decision to introduce a predominantly saffron kit for the men's and women's national teams ahead of the FIH 2026 Hockey World Cup has sparked widespread discussion online. Many fans have expressed doubt regarding the abandonment of the country's traditional blue colors.
The new kit was unveiled on Hockey India's official X account this week. It will be used during the World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 15th to August 30th.
According to The Times of India, Hockey India attributed this decision primarily to technical reasons. The federation stated that the familiar blue color of the uniform blended with the blue synthetic hockey pitches used in international competitions, negatively affecting player visibility on the field. Furthermore, it was noted that saffron was chosen after consultations with players and the coaching staff, as it is also one of the colors of the Indian national flag.
For many years, India's national teams across various sports, including hockey and cricket, have been associated with blue jerseys, leading the hockey team to earn the nickname 'Men in Blue'. However, many users criticized this change, questioning the team's departure from its established identity. One user commented: 'Yes, now they will look like the Dutch team.'
Not everyone opposed the changes. Some users defended the decision, arguing that the criticism was exaggerated. They pointed out that the contrasting kit is easier for both players and spectators to perceive on television, given the presence of blue synthetic hockey surfaces.
Hockey India has changed the jersey color of the men's and women's Indian national teams from blue to saffron, causing the issue to take on a political dimension. This change drew a reaction from Congress politician Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who strongly criticized it.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated that whether it is a jersey change or an attempt to alter history through educational policy, the people of the country see and understand everything. Her statement turned the sports decision dispute into a subject of political debate. Furthermore, former captain Virender Raskinha also expressed doubts about this decision.
The new jersey will be worn by the team at the IIHF Hockey World Cup, which will take place in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30. Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra emphasized that the statements of the youth gathered at Jantar Mantar reflect the opinion of the entire country. She reminded that the struggle for the nation's independence was based on the principles of truth and non-violence, and the RSS was not involved in it.
According to her, this movement was organized by the Congress party under Mahatma Gandhi, and the soul of the nation lies in brotherhood, love, and unity, which no one can take away. She added that regardless of how much hatred spreads or violence is provoked, the core identity of the country will never disappear. She also mentioned the incident where Rahul Gandhi showed a young man with fragments, questioning the source of these insults.
Meanwhile, former captain Virender Raskinha also expressed dissatisfaction with the jersey change decision. On social media, he wrote that although Hockey India has done many good things, this decision is shameful. He argued that the traditional color of the Indian team has always been blue, and he himself proudly wore the blue jersey for years. In his opinion, fans want to see the team in blue, and he does not understand the compelling reason for choosing saffron.
For its part, Hockey India defended its decision, stating that there is no politics in it. According to the organization's claim, the choice of jersey color was made after numerous discussions with players and technical staff. The main reason was a technical problem: the blue jersey blended with the blue surface of international venues, making player identification difficult. Therefore, the coaching staff and players suggested yellow or saffron, and saffron was finally approved.
The body also reported that the team's jersey had changed previously: it was yellow at the 2014 World Cup and sky blue at the 2018 World Cup. Hockey India stated that it associates the new jersey with the pride of India, asserting that the saffron color symbolizes courage, self-sacrifice, and victory. The jersey features a mandala demonstrating India's cultural heritage, and parts in dark blue are inspired by the Ashoka Chakra. Additionally, the word 'India' is written on the front of the jersey in Devanagari, reflecting linguistic and cultural diversity.
Amidst the ongoing debate over the new orange jersey of the Indian hockey team, Hockey India Chairman Dileep Kumar Tirkey stated that the decision was made upon the suggestion of players, captains, coaches, and technical staff. He also noted that if the players do not like this jersey after the World Cup, it can be changed in the future.
