Viren Rasquinha criticises Hockey India’s shift from blue to saffron kit
Former India hockey captain and ex-Olympian Viren Rasquinha has strongly criticised Hockey India’s decision to replace the national side’s familiar blue jersey with saffron ahead of the 2026 Hockey World Cup, calling the move "embarrassing". Hockey India responded by saying the new colour symbolises "courage, sacrifice & victory" and represents new beginnings.
The report, published on 2026-07-30T02:26:15.0000000Z, details the dispute over the uniform change as India prepares for the global tournament. Rasquinha, who led the national team during his playing career, voiced public disapproval of the alteration to a kit that supporters have long associated with Indian hockey. Hockey India issued a statement explaining the rationale behind adopting saffron for the team’s attire. Both India’s men and women will start their World Cup campaigns in Group D.
Rasquinha’s comments focused on the symbolic shift away from the blue that has identified Indian hockey for years. He described the replacement as "embarrassing" while questioning the need for such a visible departure from tradition. His intervention has drawn attention because of his standing within the sport and his past roles with the national side.
Hockey India set out its reasoning for the change in a formal response, saying the saffron kit carries a specific meaning. The governing body stated the colour symbolises "courage, sacrifice & victory" and represents new beginnings, positioning the decision as a deliberate rebranding. That explanation was presented as an attempt to link the team’s image with values the organisation wishes to emphasise ahead of the World Cup.
The switch to saffron replaces what many regarded as the team’s iconic blue jersey, a look long associated with Indian hockey on the international stage. The alteration comes at a time when preparations are intensifying for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, and the kit change will be in place for both the men’s and women’s squads. The decision to change the national colours has therefore become a talking point within domestic hockey circles.
Both the criticism from Rasquinha and the statement from Hockey India have been circulated as the teams move closer to tournament play. With India’s men and women drawn in Group D, the uniforms will be on display from the outset of the World Cup. The debate over the jersey’s colour highlights the wider interest in how national identity and sporting image intersect at major events.
The exchange underscores a clash between tradition and a governing body’s desire to project a new identity through team colours. As India heads into the 2026 Hockey World Cup, the saffron kit will remain in place alongside Hockey India’s stated intentions, while detractors like Rasquinha continue to question the change.