India, July 31 -- The controversy surrounding the Indian hockey teams' switch from their iconic blue jersey to saffron has escalated into a full-blown governance row, with Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey distancing himself from the decision even as several players denied being consulted over the move.

Since 1982, the Indian hockey team has largely played in different shades of blue or white at major international tournaments. That, however, will change at the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup, starting August 15 in Belgium and the Netherlands, where both the men's and women's teams are set to don saffron jerseys.

The announcement triggered widespread criticism from former India captains and players, with some even alleging political ove...