# Hockey India replaces blue jersey with saffron for World Cup 2026-08-07T15:55:48+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Hockey India has replaced the men's national team's traditional blue jersey with a saffron (orange) one ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup. The move has drawn sharp criticism from former players and fans. Former captain Viren Rasquinha called the change 'embarrassing', while Dhanraj Pillay said Indian hockey's identity has always been blue. The federation defended the decision, saying it was based on player and support staff consultations and a technical need: blue uniforms blend with blue synthetic pitches, reducing on-field visibility. The new jersey features designs from Indian tradition in barely-visible tones. ## Coverage - thehindu.com - thehindu.com Tags: controversy, hockey, Hockey India, jersey, saffron, World Cup Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/hockey-india-swaps-blue-for-saffron-in-mens-jersey/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/hockey-india-swaps-blue-for-saffron-in-mens-jersey/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.