Archive · 9 Sep 2026
India's Hockey Teams Return to Blue Jerseys for Asian Games
India's hockey teams are going back to wearing blue jerseys at the Asian Games.
Blue has been the team's traditional colour for many years.
The teams recently wore saffron and white uniforms at the World Cups.
Many fans and former players criticized the change.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said the orange colour was never meant to be permanent.
Officials said blue jerseys might be harder to see on blue playing surfaces.
However, some players said they were not asked about the change, while Hockey India said players had been consulted.
The Asian Games matter because India can use them to improve its hockey position and seek qualification for the 2028 Olympics.
India's men's and women's hockey teams will wear traditional blue jerseys at the Asian Games.
The teams wore saffron and white kits during recent World Cups in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said blue is the first-choice kit, with orange as the second choice.
The saffron change drew criticism from former players and triggered internal disagreements within Hockey India.
The Asian Games are important for India's continental standing and qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Who
- India's men's and women's hockey teams, Hockey India, and its president Dilip Tirkey.
- What
- The teams will return to wearing blue jerseys at the Asian Games after using saffron and white kits at recent World Cups.
- When
- At the upcoming Asian Games, identified in one report as the 2026 Asian Games.
- Where
- At the Asian Games; the disputed kits were used at World Cups in Belgium and the Netherlands.
- Why
- Blue was selected as Hockey India's first-choice colour after criticism of the saffron kit and controversy over how the change was approved.
Support for the Saffron Kit
Support for the Traditional Blue Kit
Visibility on the playing surface
Support for the Saffron Kit
Supporters of the change said saffron would help players identify teammates because blue jerseys could be difficult to distinguish on blue turf.
Support for the Traditional Blue Kit
Critics argued that blue is the established identity of Indian hockey and questioned the logic of replacing it.
Decision-making process
Support for the Saffron Kit
Hockey India said players were consulted before the kit change.
Support for the Traditional Blue Kit
Dilip Tirkey said he and the elected leadership were not informed, while five players told The Indian Express they had not been consulted.
Permanence of the colour
Support for the Saffron Kit
Hockey India said saffron had been used before and could be used again, indicating that kit colours were not permanent.
Support for the Traditional Blue Kit
Fans and former players favored a return to blue because it has been the team's longstanding traditional colour.
- First-choice jersey colour
- Blue
- Second-choice jersey colour
- Orange
- Previous World Cup colours
- Saffron and white
- Men's World Cup finish
- Eighth place
- Women's World Cup finish
- Fifth place, their best result since 1974 according to one report
- Olympic qualification at stake
- The Asian Games offer an opportunity to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
