'What Is the Logic of Orange?': Former Men's Hockey Captain Slams India's New Saffron Kit
New Delhi: The Indian national hockey team on Monday (July 27) revealed its "new India jersey" – an all-saffron or kesariya t-shirt, sharply departing from the former blue that the team has worn for decades – ahead of the 2026 World Cup in Netherlands and Belgium. The move has triggered widespread criticism from social media users, who are calling out the "saffronisation" of sports after the systemic imposition of the politically-charged colour by the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the past decade.
The switch has also drawn condemnation from former India men's team captain and Olympian Viren Rasquinha, who described the decision as "embarrassing" in a post on X and questioned why the management decided to drop the iconic blue that fans have always associated with the national team.
"I must say that @TheHockeyIndia has done many good things for Indian hockey. 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?," he wrote on X.
However, after his comments garnered political reactions online, with netizens pointing out the not-so-subtle connotations of the change, Rasquinha distanced himself from any political discourse. He clarified that he did not "want to get into any of that" and his objection was purely about sporting identity, pride and legacy.
"India is to Hockey what Argentina is to Football. Will we ever see Argentina wearing Orange and White stripes as their 1st jersey?," he added.
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.
🇮🇳 is to 🏑 what Argentina is to Football. Will we ever see Argentina wearing Orange and White stripes as their 1st jersey? https://t.co/lAnu2gOR7y
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) July 30, 2026
Hockey India has claimed that saffron symbolises courage, sacrifice and victory and that the governing body drew its inspiration from the national flag and the rising sun. The video posted on its X account, announcing the redesign, informed that the new kit incorporates mandala-inspired patterns, "to celebrate India's rich cultural heritage," and navy-blue accents referencing the Ashoka Chakra.
It added that the chest graphic of the jersey was a modern take on the Sudarshan Chakra, with tricolour piping on the shoulders and sides. Lastly the video said that the "new jersey design embodies the spirit of 'ek bharat, shreshtha bharat' (one India, supreme India)."
Presenting the new India jersey! 🇮🇳
Every stitch tells a story. Every pattern, every colour carries India's pride.
Our teams are ready to once again do the country proud at the FIH Hockey World Cup Belgium & Netherlands 2026.
🎥: Select 2 (SD+HD)+ Khel & JioHotstar
🗓️: August… pic.twitter.com/8GvwbByapq— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 27, 2026
Critics have also highlighted a different layer of error surrounding the development. The 2026 World Cup is being co-hosted by the Netherlands, a country whose sporting identity is globally synonymous with orange. The observation has raised concerns about optics, with India getting ready to take to the field in a colour more popularly associated with the host country.
This is not the first time the saffronisation of a sports kit has stirred debate. During the 2019 ODI Cricket World Cup in England, the Indian men's team wore an orange alternate jersey. Even though it was only a partial change back then, without the complete removal of blue, the move had spurred public scrutiny. The controversy reemerged before the 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup as well, when The Wire reported that a "predominantly" saffron uniform was under discussion for the India-Pakistan match. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) denied any such plan and confirmed that the team would continue to wear its "signature blue."
The present colour changes comes right before the August 14-30 Hockey World Cup that will see the men's and women's tournaments held together for the first time.
This article went live on July thirtieth, two thousand twenty six, at eight minutes past twelve at noon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
