Hockey India's decision to swap the team's traditional blue uniform for a bright orange 'Saffron' kit ahead of the World Cup has drawn heavy criticism from fans and former players.
Ahead of the World Cup next month, Hockey India has found itself embroiled in controversy following its decision to replace the team's traditional blue kit with a bright orange uniform termed 'Saffron'. The new jerseys feature subtle designs and patterns drawn from Indian tradition in barely-visible tones, marking a drastic shift away from the team's historic blue uniform.
The drastic change has drawn immediate backlash from fans and former players alike. Former India captain Viren Rasquinha questioned the logic behind the change on social media, calling the decision 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?" Rasquinha wrote.
Legendary player Dhanraj Pillay also expressed his disappointment over the new kit. Noting that saffron is part of the national flag, Pillay emphasized that Indian hockey's unique identity has always been blue, distinguishing it from franchise leagues. He added that he personally never had any issue playing in blue uniforms on blue turf.
Following the criticism, the federation issued an official statement explaining that the decision was made after detailed consultations and recommendations from players and support staff. Hockey India cited technical reasons for the switch, stating that the blue uniform tended to merge with standard blue synthetic playing surfaces, which negatively impacted on-field visual clarity and visibility for players.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Hockey. Photo courtesy The Hindu Hockey.