Indian hockey team’s jersey colour change to saffron was based on technical feedback by support staff and players, the Hockey India said on Thursday.
The federation had put out a video earlier this week, announcing the change in Indian jersey from blue to saffron. However, it was followed with a backlash on social media.
Clarifying the need to change the colours, HI said that the visual similarity between blue jersey and synthetic playing surface of same colour affected on-field clarity and visibility.
“The primary consideration was technical. It was observed that the blue playing uniform tended to blend/merge with the blue synthetic playing surface, which is now the standard colour of international hockey pitches,” the statement said.
And for the same reason, yellow and saffron colours were considered before the latter was finalised. “Apart from addressing the technical requirement, saffron also holds deep significance as one of the colours of our National Flag, symbolising courage, sacrifice and national pride.”
The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams will be seen in saffron jerseys instead of their traditional blue kits starting next month’s FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Besides saffron, the Indian teams will also have white jerseys in their kits featuring the same new design.
Published on Jul 30, 2026
