Indian hockey teams to don saffron jerseys
The Indian men's and women's hockey teams will switch from their traditional blue jerseys to saffron ones.
Hockey India (HI) announced on Thursday that the Indian men's and women's hockey teams will wear saffron jerseys instead of their traditional blue kits in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. This decision was made considering technical reasons and the national significance of this colour. It is noteworthy that the ruling BJP has an ideological bias towards saffron. The BJP has now extended its political influence to sports as well. It is well known why the BJP prefers the colour of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's flag over the blue of the national flag. Former Indian captain Viren Rasquinha has criticised this decision.
Criticising this decision, former Indian captain Viren Rasquinha said in an X post,
The identity of the Indian hockey team has always been the blue jersey, and there is no logic in changing it. I must say that Hockey India has done many good things... but this is shameful. The identity and legacy of the Indian team have always been 'blue'. I have worn the blue jersey with pride for many years. Fans want to see our Indian team in blue. What is the logic of the orange colour?
It should be noted that the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup will be held from 15 August to 30 August 2026 in the Netherlands and Belgium. In this tournament, both the Indian men's and women's teams will take the field in the new saffron jerseys for the first time.
According to Hockey India, this decision was made after discussions with players and coaches. Players reported that wearing blue jerseys on the blue synthetic turf used in modern international hockey made it difficult for teammates to identify each other.
The federation stated in its statement,
"It was observed that the blue jersey blended with the blue synthetic field, making it difficult for players to clearly see their teammates during the match."
Hockey India stated that players and coaches suggested alternative colours like yellow and saffron. After considering all aspects, saffron was finalised. The federation said that this colour not only solves the technical problem but also symbolises courage, sacrifice, and national pride as it is one of the three colours of the Indian national flag.
Hockey India clarified that this is not the first time the colour of the Indian team's jersey has been changed. In the 2014 FIH Hockey World Cup, the Indian team wore yellow jerseys. In the 2018 FIH Hockey World Cup, the team donned a new design in light sky blue jerseys.
The federation stated that changes in the team's jersey are made from time to time according to technical requirements. Hockey India said that this change was made after discussions with coaches and players. The federation mentioned that before choosing the saffron colour, players and coaches suggested different colours. Hockey India said, "Coaches and players suggested alternative colours like yellow or saffron. After deliberation, saffron was finalised." Hockey India stated,
"The deep significance of the saffron colour also meets the technical need as it is one of the colours of our national flag, symbolising courage, sacrifice, and national pride."
Hockey India stated that changing the colour of the national team's jersey is not a new phenomenon and such changes have been made in previous World Cups as well. "It can also be noted that changing the jersey colour in Indian hockey is not new. From time to time, the colour of the national team's playing kit has been changed due to necessity and other reasons."
According to the federation, the saffron colour symbolises courage, sacrifice, and victory. The deep navy blue parts are inspired by the Ashoka Chakra and symbolise progress, peace, and focus. The mandala-inspired pattern celebrates India's cultural heritage. The graphic on the chest inspired by the Sudarshan Chakra represents strength, unity, and speed. The tricolour piping on the shoulders and sides enhances national pride. To celebrate the country's linguistic and cultural diversity, 'INDIA' is written in a special Devanagari script. The teams will also have white jerseys with the same design.