New Delhi: Three days after Hockey India announced a change in the Indian hockey team’s jersey colour, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, in an interview with ANI, addressed the criticism the change drew on social media.
Hockey India posted a video on 27 July unveiling the new jersey, with variations. The major change that caught the attention of many was the colour, which has been changed from blue to saffron. The post said the change in colour symbolised courage, sacrifice and victory, as it was inspired by the Indian national flag, and the rising sun reflected new beginnings.
Tirkey clarified that “there was a specific request from the players and coaches. On blue hockey turf, wearing blue jerseys created visual overlap during fast gameplay, reducing contrast and clarity. Secondly, orange is represented in our national flag. Out of the two options requested by the squad (orange and yellow), orange was selected.” He added that orange was chosen over yellow because it reflected the saffron in the national flag.
Tirkey was responding to the backlash Hockey India has been facing on social media where users questioned the need to change the colour of the national jersey. One user on X, @lally_amandeep commented “It is blue and always will be blue in our hearts” while other users questioned whether this change is a part of politicising the sport itself. Another user, @holysmokyy, wrote, “Why should everything be orange? BRING BACK THE ICONIC BLUE!!”
Tirkey acknowledged that there was a legacy attached to Team India wearing blue but added this was not the first time the jersey colour was changed. “In 2014 as well, I think the team wore yellow, and in 2018 too, light blue was used. It came as a suggestion directly from our coaches, supporting staff, players and team captains,” he told ANI.
Former captain of the Indian Hockey Team Viren Rasquinha also expressed his disappointment over the change. In a tweet on X, he said: “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?”
Other than the change in the colour of the jersey, the video released by Hockey India shows new design elements, including a mandala motif at the centre of the jersey which is said to celebrate India’s rich cultural heritage. There are also navy blue accents inspired by the Ashok Chakra, the post said.
There is also a modern interpretation of the Sudarshan Chakra on the chest and tricolour pipping in saffron, white and green which runs along the shoulder and side for “national pride” as claimed in the video posted on social media. The design also includes the tagline “Think India, Think Odisha”, putting the focus on Odisha’s long-standing support for Indian hockey as the team’s principal sponsor.
According to Hockey India, the jersey embodies the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” and was launched ahead of the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
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