The unveiling of the Indian men’s hockey team’s new jersey, featuring saffron as the dominant colour, has sparked widespread debate on social media. While some users interpreted the change through a political lens, the clarification from the hockey authorities has emphasised that the redesign is intended to reflect India’s national identity and sporting heritage rather than convey any political message.
Even former Hockey captain Viren Rasquinha had joined in the outrage on social media.
I must say that @TheHockeyIndia has done many good things for 🇮🇳 🏑. But this is embarrassing. The legacy & 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? https://t.co/apDnJkTld4— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) July 29, 2026
Saffron is one of the three colours of the Indian national flag and has long symbolized courage, sacrifice, and strength. Indian sporting teams have frequently incorporated the tricolour into their uniforms in different ways over the years. Cricket, athletics, badminton, and several other Indian teams have also used combinations of saffron, white, green, and blue in their kits, depending on the event, manufacturer, and design philosophy.
According to the clarification by Hockey India, the traditional blue jersey has not been abandoned. Instead, the saffron jersey has been introduced as part of a new kit design, with different jerseys being used based on tournament regulations, home-and-away fixtures, and colour-contrast requirements. Such alternate kits are common in international sports to ensure that competing teams are easily distinguishable on the field.
Notably, a similar controversy erupted in 2019 when the Indian cricket team wore a jersey featuring saffron.
