New Delhi: Hockey India has unveiled the national teams' new jerseys for the upcoming FIH Men's and Women's World Cups, swapping the iconic blue for a bold orange.
The men's tournament will be played in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30, while the women's event runs from August 15 to 30.
The colour change, however, has stirred debate. Former India captain Viren Rasquinha voiced his disappointment, questioning the decision to abandon blue, a shade long synonymous with Indian hockey's identity and legacy. "I wore the Blue jersey with pride for many years. Fans want to see our team in blue. What is the logic of orange?" he wrote on X.
While the new design aims to refresh the team's look, critics argue that tradition should not be sacrificed. For many, the blue jersey remains a symbol of resilience and pride, making the switch to orange a controversial call just weeks before the World Cup.