Hockey India has changed the jersey color for the men's and women's national teams from blue to saffron ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup [1].
The decision marks a departure from the traditional blue kit used by Indian national teams. This shift has sparked a public debate regarding the intersection of athletic performance and the decision-making process within the sport's governing body.
President Dilip Kumar Tirkey and Hockey India said the change to the saffron, or "kesariya," color was implemented to improve player visibility on the field [2]. The tournament is scheduled to take place in 2026 [3] and will be hosted in Odisha [4].
Despite the official explanation, the move has drawn criticism from various stakeholders. Former captain Jagbir Singh said the change was unexpected. Critics argue that the decision was made without consulting the players, or the officials who would be wearing the kits [5].
The controversy centers on whether the visibility benefits outweigh the disruption of changing a long-standing team identity. While the organization maintains the move is practical for the game, opponents suggest the lack of consultation undermines the players' role in the team's preparation [5].
Odisha will serve as the backdrop for the 2026 [3] event, where the teams will debut the new colors in front of a home crowd [4]. Hockey India has not provided a detailed timeline on when the specific visibility studies were conducted to justify the color shift [2].
“The change to the saffron, or "kesariya," color was implemented to improve player visibility on the field.”
The shift to saffron jerseys represents a tension between technical justifications and traditional sporting identity. By prioritizing visibility over established branding without player consultation, Hockey India risks internal friction and public scrutiny regarding the transparency of its administrative processes leading up to a major home tournament.
