Indian Hockey Team's New Jersey Sparks Debate Ahead of World Cup

The Indian hockey team's decision to switch to an orange jersey for the upcoming FIH Men's Hockey World Cup has ignited controversy. Vice-captain Hardik Singh explains that the change aims to improve visibility on the blue Astroturf. While some former players and politicians criticize the move, Hockey India defends it as a tactical decision based on player feedback. Hardik also shares insights on team dynamics and his personal game improvements as he prepares for his third World Cup appearance. This article delves into the implications of the jersey change and the team's preparations for the tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 31, 2026, 15:23 IST

Hardik Singh Discusses New Jersey for FIH Men's Hockey World Cup

Hardik Singh, the vice-captain of the Indian hockey team, shared his views on the newly introduced jersey for the upcoming FIH Men's Hockey World Cup. He noted that the traditional blue jersey often clashes with the blue Astroturf, prompting the team to experiment with an orange color as part of their strategy. The new uniforms were unveiled in anticipation of the Men's and Women's Hockey World Cups, set to commence on August 14 and 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium, respectively. This color change has stirred controversy, with former captain and Olympian Viren Rasquinha expressing skepticism, and several politicians also voicing their criticism.

In an interview prior to the tournament, Hardik explained that the team believes the new jersey could offer advantages over their standard blue attire. He expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament, marking his third World Cup appearance. "I am very excited for this tournament. It is going to be my third World Cup. And the World Cup happens after 4 years. It is one of the most important tournaments in any field, right? So, I think we are very excited. Our preparation is going well," he stated.

A Tactical Decision to Enhance Visibility

"The jerseys are very good. We want to try something new because our previous jerseys matched the AstroTurf, which caused some issues. If orange jerseys can benefit us, then why not try that? This is the team's strategy. It is a tactic. It is a strategy for us to try new things. For us, we are going to represent the nation. That is the most important thing for us right now. We want to leave India on a positive note," he added.

Hockey India released a statement clarifying that the decision to alter the national team's jersey color was made after consultations with players and support staff. "We wish to inform you that the decision to change the uniform color was based on support staff and players' recommendations and detailed consultations with them. The primary consideration was technical. It was observed that the blue playing uniform tended to blend with the blue synthetic playing surface, which is now the standard color of international hockey pitches. This visual similarity affected on-field clarity and visibility for the players," the statement explained.

Significance of the New Jersey Color

The statement further elaborated that the coaches and players suggested alternative colors like yellow or saffron, ultimately deciding on saffron. This choice not only addresses the technical issue but also holds significant meaning as one of the colors of the National Flag, symbolizing courage, sacrifice, and national pride.

"It may also be noted that changes in jersey color are not unprecedented in Indian hockey. The national team's playing kit color has been modified from time to time based on functional requirements. For instance, during the 2014 FIH Hockey World Cup, the team's jersey color was changed to yellow, and during the 2018 FIH Hockey World Cup, it was changed to sky blue with a completely different design," the statement added.

Team Dynamics and Personal Development

Regarding his relationship with younger teammates, Hardik emphasized the camaraderie between seniors and juniors, stating that there is no hierarchy within the team. He mentioned, "There is a great relationship that exists between seniors and juniors. Thanks to our seniors, they have created such an atmosphere where we all have the freedom to do anything on the field and express our feelings. Whenever someone joins a junior team, we always try to open up and make them laugh, so they feel there is no hierarchy here. When we are on the field, everyone is equal, and you have to do your best."

On a personal level, Hardik discussed his focus on improving his game, particularly regarding turnovers. He noted, "I feel like turnovers are where I have worked on. Sometimes, we snatch the ball and then we do the turnovers again and again. So, I have done a lot of work on that. Then, on receiving and passing. I have also worked on how to study opponents. Today's game is very tactical, and you need to know your opponent's strategy. So, I have worked on that."