The ongoing controversy surrounding Hockey India’s decision to change the national team’s jersey colour from blue to saffron has intensified, with a new report alleging that players were neither asked nor consulted about the significant alteration.
This development further politicises the issue, which has already drawn sharp criticism and internal dissent within the federation.
The federation recently unveiled the new saffron jerseys for both the men’s and women’s teams ahead of the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup 2026. The move immediately faced scrutiny, with former captain Viren Rasquinha publicly questioning the logic behind abandoning the iconic blue.
Internal Disagreement and Procedural Lapses
The controversy escalated when Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey formally wrote to the Executive Board members, seeking clarity on the discussions and the decision-making process that led to the colour change.
While Hockey India initially justified the switch as a technical adjustment to enhance player visibility on blue turfs, Tirkey’s communication has brought to light considerable internal disagreements and apparent procedural shortcomings within the sport’s governing body in India.
Players Speak Out Anonymously
Adding a fresh layer to the dispute, a report published by The Indian Express cites five members from the men’s and women’s national teams who claim they were not consulted before the decision was made.
“I wasn’t asked or consulted. It is not true,” an anonymous team member told The Indian Express.
Another executive committee member also echoed this sentiment, stating, “I was not aware of the change in jersey colour nor was I part of an official meeting where this was discussed.”
Captains Defend the Move
Despite the growing discontent, Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh has defended the new jersey. “We are not paying much attention to these things. It was a collective decision by the team and the coaches. There was no mistake in it,” Harmanpreet stated in an interview with RevSportz.
Vice-captain Hardik Singh also voiced his support, explaining that the blue jersey often clashed with the blue Astroturf surface. He described the adoption of the orange (saffron) colour as a “team strategy” and a “tactic.” “The jerseys are very good. Because we want to try something new… And I think if orange jerseys are beneficial for us, then why not try that? This is the team’s strategy. It is a tactic… For us, we are going to represent the nation. That is the most important thing for us right now. And, we want to leave India on a positive note,” Hardik told ANI.
The revelation that players were seemingly excluded from the decision-making process adds significant weight to the existing concerns regarding transparency and governance within Hockey India, further fuelling the debate ahead of the crucial FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.