The story so far
Hockey Jersey Controversy
Tracked across 6 sources · Updated 3h ago
Hockey India changed the national hockey team's jersey from traditional blue to saffron for the 2026 World Cup, citing visibility issues on blue turf. The decision sparked political backlash from opposition leaders and former players, while Hockey India defended it as a technical choice.
How it unfolded
12h ago
Debate continues in Parliament over jersey color
2d ago
Naveen Patnaik expresses anguish over jersey change
2d ago
Captain Harmanpreet says no politics involved
2d ago
Opposition slams saffron jersey, calls it saffronisation
2d ago
Hockey India cites visibility issue for color change
2d ago
Viren Rasquinha calls jersey change embarrassing
5d ago
Indian hockey team unveils new saffron jersey for World Cup
What happened earlier
Latest updates
Latest
Full story →'This is embarrassing': Outrage erupts after Indian Hockey ditches blue
Indian hockey has replaced its traditional blue jersey with saffron, starting at the FIH World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Hockey India cited clashes with blue turf as the reason, but former players and fans have criticized the change as embarrassing and shameful.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh said the decision was collective, but some players said no meeting was held before the change.
Former captain Viren Rasquinha called the move embarrassing, while 1980 Olympic gold-winning captain Vasudevan Baskaran questioned the logic, noting blue has been worn since 1928.
HI president Dilip Tirkey defended the change, stating a striking color would improve visibility on blue pitches.
Earlier · 4d ago
Full story →Indian men's hockey team unveils new jersey for FIH World Cup
Indian men's hockey team unveiled a new jersey for the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands.
India qualified for the World Cup by winning the Asia Cup.
India will compete in Pool D against England, Wales, and Pakistan.
The tournament runs from August 14-30.
Earlier · 1d ago
Full story →Rasquinha criticizes new saffron India jersey for Hockey World Cup
Former India captain Viren Rasquinha criticized the new saffron-colored India jersey for the FIH World Cup, saying the team's legacy and identity have always been blue.
Hockey India released the new jersey for both men's and women's hockey teams, replacing the traditional blue with saffron.
Rasquinha posted on X: 'The legacy & identity of the Indian team has always been BLUE... What is the logic of orange?'
Hockey India's video explained the design: saffron symbolizes courage, sacrifice, and victory; blue accent is deep navy inspired by the Ashoka Chakra; and the jersey features mandala patterns, Sudarshan Chakra graphic, and tricolour piping.
The jersey also includes Odisha branding, highlighting the state's commitment to Indian hockey.
Earlier · 1d ago
Full story →Hockey India Clarifies Jersey Colour Change To 'Saffron' Amid Backlash
Hockey India changed the jersey color to saffron for the 2026 World Cup.
The change aims to improve visibility on blue synthetic pitches.
The announcement came after backlash over the color alteration.
Both men's and women's hockey teams will wear the new jerseys.
Hockey India issued a statement clarifying the reason for the change.
Earlier · 1d ago
Full story →Viren Rasquinha Questions Hockey India's Jersey Color Change
Former India captain Viren Rasquinha posted about Hockey India's decision to change the jersey color.
Rasquinha faced backlash on social media for his post.
The jersey row involves men's and women's hockey team jerseys being changed.
The controversy has taken a political turn with discussion of Argentina wearing orange.