Indian Hockey Teams to Wear Saffron Jerseys at World Cup, HI Defends Decision

New Delhi: India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams will wear saffron jerseys instead of their traditional blue kits at next month’s FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. The body said saffron represents courage, sacrifice and victory. Hockey India said the change was made after consultations with players and support staff, explaining that the blue jerseys blended with the blue synthetic turf, affecting on-field visibility.

Former India captain Viren Rasquinha questioned the decision, but Hockey India defended it as a technical necessity aimed at improving player visibility during matches.