New Delhi, July 30 -- Hockey India on Thursday defended its decision to introduce a saffron-coloured jersey for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, saying the change was driven primarily by technical reasons and was made after recommendations from the players and support staff.
The federation unveiled the new kit on Monday, replacing the Indian men's team's traditional blue jersey for next month's World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium.
The move sparked widespread debate, with former India captain Viren Rasquinha questioning why the team had moved away from the iconic blue colours that have long been associated with Indian hockey.
In a detailed statement, Hockey India said the decision followed extensive discussions within the national team...