India's new saffron hockey jersey draws flak from ex-captain, fans: 'Legacy, identity always blue’

The decision of the Indian hockey federation to change the colour of the team’s jersey to saffron from blue has drawn criticism, with former captain Viren Rasquinha describing the change as embarrassing.

“The legacy and identity of the Indian team has always been blue,” he said on social media on Wednesday. “I wore the blue jersey with pride for many years. Fans want to see our Indian team in blue. What is the logic of orange?”

The hockey federation launched the new jersey on Monday. In a social media video, the federation said that the saffron colour “symbolises courage, sacrifice and victory”.

The new colours scheme has been inspired by the national flag and the rising sun, it said, adding that the new jersey “reflects new beginnings”.

Several social media users criticised the colour blue being replaced with saffron, saying that the change hurts the team’s legacy and identity.

India has traditionally had blue as the colour of the primary jersey. The country’s sports teams are often called by fans as the “men in blue” or “women in blue”.

Following the backlash, Hockey India said on Thursday that the change had been made following consultations with players and the staff because of technical requirements.

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