Revamped Indian hockey team uniform draws criticism
Hockey India's decision to change the national team's traditional blue kit to a saffron-colored jersey has sparked backlash from fans and former players. The federation defends the change as a technical necessity to improve visibility against blue synthetic turf.
Why it matters
The controversy reflects the intersection of national identity, sports tradition, and modern technical requirements in international athletics.
New Delhi: Even as the Indian hockey teams hope to break their World Cup jinx next month, the sport finds itself embroiled in controversy over Hockey India’s decision to change the colours of the team kit.
The new jerseys unveiled are a bright orange that the federation terms ‘Saffron’ with designs and patterns drawn from Indian tradition in barely-visible tones. The marks a drastic move away from the traditional blue uniform for the Indian team. The decision drew backlash from fans and former players alike.
Former captain Viren Rasquinha was the first to question in a social media post. “...this is embarrassing. The legacy and 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?” he wrote.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in