Saffron Shift Sparks Debate
Hockey India has unveiled a striking new kit for both the men's and women's national teams, swapping the long‑standing navy blue for a vibrant saffron base. The design is threaded with Mandala motifs, Ashoka Chakra accents, Sudarshan Chakra graphics and Devanagari script, aiming to fuse tradition with contemporary national pride.
The move has not been universally embraced. Former captain Viren Rasquinha described the change as "embarrassing," pointing to the deep emotional attachment many players and fans have to the blue jersey that has defined Indian hockey for decades.
In defence, Hockey India argued that saffron is a colour embedded in the national flag and that the redesign is a celebration of cultural symbolism rather than a political statement. The federation said the new kit would be worn with pride at upcoming international competitions.
The teams are slated to debut the saffron jerseys at the FIH World Cup 2026, which will be co‑hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium from 15 to 30 August. The tournament will test how the new aesthetic translates on the global stage.