NEW DELHI: Former India hockey captain and Olympian Viren Rasquinha has criticised Hockey India’s decision to replace the team’s traditional blue jersey with a saffron one ahead of the 2026 Hockey World Cup. Expressing his disappointment on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “I must say that @TheHockeyIndia has done many good things for (hockey emotes). 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?” Hockey India has unveiled new kits for both the men’s and women’s teams before the 2026 Hockey World Cup, with saffron replacing blue as the main colour.
Viren Rasquinha criticised Hockey India’s decision to replace the team’s iconic blue jersey with saffron
The jersey also features mandala-inspired designs, tricolour detailing and blue accents. Explaining the change, Hockey India said, “Symbolises courage, sacrifice & victory. Inspired by the Indian national flag and the rising sun, it reflects new beginnings.”Further explaining the rationale behind questioning the decision, he made another post on X, adding, “I’m seeing many unnecessary political comments on this. I don’t want to get into any of that. My simple & humble point is on pride, identity & legacy. (India) is to (hockey) what Argentina is to Football. Will we ever see Argentina wearing Orange and White stripes as their 1st jersey?”
India set to begin World Cup campaign
The 2026 Hockey World Cup will be held in the Netherlands and Belgium from August 14 to 30, with the men’s and women’s tournaments taking place together for the first time. The Indian men’s team, placed in Group D, will face Wales, England and Pakistan in the group stage. The women’s team, also in Group D, will begin against China before taking on South Africa and England. India’s men have won the Hockey World Cup once, in 1975, while the women’s best finish was fourth place in 1974.
