Archive · 30 Jul 2026
India’s Hockey Team Faces Jersey Color Debate Ahead of World Cup
India’s national hockey team is getting a new jersey for the 2026 World Cup.
The old jersey was blue, and many people, including former captain Viren Rasquinha, think blue is part of the team’s identity.
Hockey India decided to change it to saffron, a color from the Indian flag, to show courage and victory.
Some people like the new design, but others say it hurts the team’s tradition.
Priyanka Gandhi also said the change could be part of trying to change India’s identity.
The new jerseys will be worn by both men and women in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The debate shows how sports can touch on history, culture, and politics.
India hopes to win the World Cup after 51 years.
Fans are divided over whether the new colors are a good idea.
Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha criticized Hockey India’s new saffron jersey for the 2026 World Cup, calling it embarrassing and a departure from the team’s blue legacy.
Hockey India defended the change, saying the saffron design symbolizes courage, sacrifice, victory and draws inspiration from the national flag, with blue accents and cultural motifs.
The new kit will be worn by both the men’s and women’s teams at the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticized the jersey change, linking it to broader attempts to reshape India’s identity and emphasizing the country’s core values.
The debate has sparked discussions about sporting identity, heritage, and potential political symbolism surrounding the team’s new colors.
- Who
- Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha and Hockey India
- What
- Criticism of the new saffron jersey for the Indian national hockey team
- When
- Unveiled July 2026; World Cup August 2026
- Where
- India (unveiling), Belgium and Netherlands (World Cup)
- Why
- To symbolize national flag, courage, sacrifice, victory; critics say it undermines the team’s blue legacy
- Event
- 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup
- Teams
- India men's and women's
- Location
- Belgium and Netherlands
- Jersey color
- Saffron with blue accents
- Design inspiration
- Indian national flag, rising sun, cultural motifs
- Criticism
- Viren Rasquinha
Sources
‘India’s identity has always been blue’: Ex-captain questions Hockey India’s ‘logic’ behind World Cup jersey
‘Legacy, identity always been blue’: Ex-hockey captain, fans criticise India’s new saffron jersey
'What is logic of orange?': Former hockey captain Rasquinha slams new India jersey
'Embarrassing': Indian hockey team goes saffron with jersey colour change, ex-captain asks why
'What Is The Logic Of Orange?': Viren Rasquinha Criticises Team India's New Saffron-Coloured Hockey Jersey Ahead Of World Cup
