Both the Indian men's and women's hockey teams opened their Asian Games campaigns in saffron uniforms despite prior declarations that the federation would revert to traditional blue kits.
The Indian men's and women's hockey teams took the field in saffron kits for their respective opening matches at the Asian Games in Kakamilgahara, Japan, on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The move came despite prior statements from Hockey India (HI) that the squads would revert to their traditional blue uniforms.
The men's team opened against Indonesia while the women's team faced Uzbekistan, with both sides wearing saffron. The same kit colour previously sparked controversy during last month's World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The initial change of uniform caused internal friction within the federation, with HI president Dilip Tirkey stating the decision was made without the knowledge or approval of the Executive Board or elected leadership. Tirkey was at odds with HI secretary Bhola Nath Singh, who was perceived as the driving force behind the new jersey colour.
Ahead of the Asian Games, Tirkey asserted that India would wear blue as its primary kit, with white and orange as alternate options. "The Indian Olympic Association [IOA] had given us options regarding the team kit colours, and Hockey India selected blue as the first choice for the Indian team's kit. Orange will be the second choice," Tirkey stated during the contingent's send-off ceremony.
However, an anonymous HI source told PTI that the approved kits were always saffron alongside a combination of white and sky blue. "The two colours for the Indian teams' playing kits for the Asian Games 2026 were always saffron and the combination of white and sky blue, which was approved by the HI president himself," the source said. "As to why the president then said that India will wear all-blue at the Asian Games is something you need to ask the president himself."
The rationale cited for moving away from blue jerseys was that playing in blue on a blue turf caused visibility issues. Aside from a few isolated exceptions, Indian hockey teams have primarily worn blue jerseys since making their Olympic debut in 1928.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Hockey. Photo courtesy The Hindu Hockey.