Indian Hockey Teams Return to Blue Jerseys for Asian Games After Saffron Controversy
India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams will return to their traditional blue primary jerseys at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, reversing the decision that saw the teams wear saffron as their main colour during the recent Hockey World Cup. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey confirmed the change ahead of the teams’ departure for the Asian Games.
The decision brings back a colour that has been closely associated with Indian hockey for decades. Indian teams have largely worn blue since the country made its Olympic hockey debut in 1928, making the colour an important part of the sport’s national identity.
The move to saffron before the World Cup had generated considerable criticism from former Indian players and hockey supporters. Former captains and prominent players including Viren Rasquinha, Dhanraj Pillay, Ajit Pal Singh and Pargat Singh questioned the decision to move away from the familiar blue.
Hockey India had initially defended the change on technical grounds. The federation said blue jerseys could make it harder for players to identify teammates against modern blue artificial turf, potentially affecting visibility and on-field coordination. The organisation also said the decision followed discussions involving players and coaches.
However, the jersey issue became more complicated after Tirkey said he had not been consulted before the change. He argued that the controversy was not simply about the colour itself, but also about the decision-making process and whether the federation’s elected leadership had been properly involved.
Tirkey has now made clear that the saffron jersey was never intended to become a permanent replacement for blue. Hockey India selected blue as its first-choice colour from the options provided by the Indian Olympic Association, while orange was retained as the second choice.
The Asian Games arrangement also differs from the World Cup because the event is a multi-sport competition in which hockey players form part of the wider Indian contingent. The blue-and-white combination is consistent with the colours used by Indian athletes at the Asian Games.
Importantly, the return to blue does not mean saffron has disappeared completely. Reports indicate that India will have two kit options for the Asian Games, with a white-and-sky-blue combination as one option and saffron retained for the other.
The timing gives the decision additional significance. The Asian Games begin in Japan on September 19, with hockey carrying major importance because the winners can secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, subject to the qualification system.
India’s men enter the tournament as defending Asian Games champions and will be seeking an unprecedented fifth gold medal. The women’s team will also have a major target, aiming to win its first Asian Games title since 1982 after taking bronze in the previous edition.
The blue jersey therefore represents more than a simple change of sportswear. After weeks of debate surrounding identity, tradition, visibility and the internal decision-making process at Hockey India, the return to blue allows the federation and players to move the focus back toward performance.
For both Indian teams, the immediate priority will now be the Asian Games campaign—and the opportunity to turn the renewed connection with the traditional blue jersey into success on the field.
