Hockey India defends switch from blue to saffron amid jersey row

Hockey India has issued an official response to the controversy surrounding the national team's kit, defending the decision to change the primary jersey colour from blue to saffron. The federation released its statement on July 30, 2026.

The alteration of the team's traditional blue strip into a saffron hue was described in coverage as a 'jersey row' and generated widespread attention. That reaction prompted Hockey India to respond publicly and set out its position. The federation's statement aimed to address the debate and clarify its stance to supporters and observers.

In the response, Hockey India defended the decision to adopt saffron as the principal colour and stood by the change from blue. The federation presented its reasoning in a formal release, reaffirming the choice rather than announcing any reversal. The statement marked the organisation's official reply to the controversy.

The communication focused on the colour change itself and the federation's defence of that move. Hockey India positioned its remarks as an explanation directed at fans, stakeholders and the wider public. The release was intended to resolve questions that had arisen in the wake of the announcement.

Media reports and discussions around the kit shift were the immediate catalyst for the federation's statement. Hockey India's reply sought to settle the matter by articulating the organisation's viewpoint on the alteration of the jersey colour. The response represents the federation's formal engagement with the issue.

Hockey India has therefore publicly backed the transition from blue to saffron and issued its explanation on July 30, 2026. The statement serves as the federation's official closure to its response to the jersey row for the time being.