India Hockey returns to blue after orange kit backlash

NEW DELHI: India’s national hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys at the upcoming Asian Games after a controversial switch to orange at the recent World Cup triggered criticism from officials and former players.

The men’s and women’s teams are set to wear blue as their primary colour when the Asian Games begin in Nagoya-Aichi on September 19. Orange, or saffron, will remain part of the teams’ kit as a secondary colour.

The decision comes after India’s bright orange playing kits at the World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands became a subject of debate. The colour drew particular attention because saffron is closely associated with Hindu nationalism and India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey confirmed the return to blue during an Asian Games send-off event in New Delhi on Tuesday.

“We are back to wearing blue again,” Tirkey told reporters, adding that both the men’s and women’s teams would wear blue at the Asian Games.

Tirkey said the move away from blue had never been intended as a permanent change. He had previously indicated that he was not consulted about the decision to introduce the saffron-dominated kit.

The issue sparked criticism from several former India captains, including Pargat Singh, Dhanraj Pillay, Ajit Pal Singh and Viren Rasquinha. They questioned the decision to move away from the colour traditionally associated with Indian hockey.

The return to blue therefore comes as the teams prepare for an important Asian Games campaign, with more than just medals at stake.

India’s men’s team will enter the tournament as defending champions. Their campaign follows a disappointing World Cup performance in which they finished eighth.

The Asian Games will offer the team an opportunity to rebuild confidence and reclaim momentum. More importantly, winning the gold medal in Nagoya would earn India direct qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.

The women’s team will also be looking to make a stronger impression in Japan as they attempt to improve their recent international performances.

For Indian hockey, the decision to restore blue represents more than a simple change of kit. It follows weeks of discussion over the identity and symbolism attached to the national teams’ colours.

With the Asian Games approaching, however, attention is expected to shift back from the jerseys to performances on the field.

Both Indian teams will hope that a return to familiar blue brings a fresh start as they chase Asian Games glory in Nagoya and, for the men, a coveted Olympic qualification spot.