Hockey India President Dilip Kumar Tirkey on Thursday (Jul 30) defended the decision to change the Indian men's and women's hockey teams' primary blue jerseys to orange, saying the move was based on feedback from players, coaches and support staff over visibility issues on blue turf, which made it harder for players to see each other during matches.&nbsp;The new jersey has sparked debate, with former India captain and Olympian Viren Rasquinha questioning the decision, while Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised the change.&nbsp;Speaking to ANI, Tirkey said that the new jerseys were unveiled ahead of the FIH Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cups, which begin on Aug 14 and 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.&nbsp;“So this time, the orange colour has been chosen. And yes, I accept that for many years, there was a legacy where Team India used to wear blue. We have played many tournaments, many important tournaments wearing blue… even I played wearing blue. But the change that has been made this time–and this is not the first time; in 2014 as well, I think the team wore yellow, and in 2018 too, light blue was used–a suggestion came directly from our coaches, supporting staff, players, and team captains,” Tirkey told ANI.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/commonwealth-tt-championship-2026-india-vs-england-semifinal-results-1785410543585">Indian men's team blitz England 3-0 to reach Commonwealth TT Championship final</a>&nbsp;Explaining the reason behind the change, Tirkey said players and coaches felt the blue jersey reduced visibility because it matched the colour of the turf.&nbsp;“Their suggestion was that on the field, the hockey turf is blue, and the players’ playing kit was also blue. So technical visibility during play was affected because of that overlap. Somewhere, they were feeling that issue,” he said.&nbsp;He added that the team suggested two colours , yellow and orange, and orange was chosen because it is one of the colours in the Indian national flag.&nbsp;“They suggested two colour options: yellow and orange. It was noted that orange is also one of our national colours from the Indian flag. So orange was chosen and designed accordingly. If after the tournament or in the future the players feel otherwise, we can work again on improving the kit colour,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ajinkya-rahane-s-greatest-test-innings-5-knocks-that-defined-his-overseas-legacy-1785396862240">Rahane’s greatest Test innings: 5 knocks that defined his overseas legacy</a>&nbsp;Tirkey said Hockey India would be open to changing the jersey again if players were not comfortable with the orange kit in the future.&nbsp;“If after or during the World Cup, the team or players do not feel comfortable with the orange colour–which was introduced based on their own request–we can definitely change it in the future to a colour that the team prefers,” he said.&nbsp;He further stressed that the decision was driven by technical reasons and player feedback.&nbsp;“There was a specific request from players and coaches. On blue hockey turf, wearing blue jerseys created visual overlap during fast gameplay, reducing contrast and clarity. Secondly, Orange is represented in our national flag. Out of the two options requested by the squad (orange and yellow), orange was selected,” he said.&nbsp;“For this World Cup, the orange kit is designated as the primary jersey, with white as the secondary kit. If required later, adjustments can always be made,” Tirkey added.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said the switch from blue to orange jerseys was made on the recommendation of players and coaches due to visibility issues on blue turf.

Hockey India President Dilip Kumar Tirkey on Thursday (Jul 30) defended the decision to change the Indian men's and women's hockey teams' primary blue jerseys to orange, saying the move was based on feedback from players, coaches and support staff over visibility issues on blue turf, which made it harder for players to see each other during matches. The new jersey has sparked debate, with former India captain and Olympian Viren Rasquinha questioning the decision, while Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticised the change. Speaking to ANI, Tirkey said that the new jerseys were unveiled ahead of the FIH Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cups, which begin on Aug 14 and 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium. “So this time, the orange colour has been chosen. And yes, I accept that for many years, there was a legacy where Team India used to wear blue. We have played many tournaments, many important tournaments wearing blue… even I played wearing blue. But the change that has been made this time–and this is not the first time; in 2014 as well, I think the team wore yellow, and in 2018 too, light blue was used–a suggestion came directly from our coaches, supporting staff, players, and team captains,” Tirkey told ANI. Also Read - Indian men's team blitz England 3-0 to reach Commonwealth TT Championship final Explaining the reason behind the change, Tirkey said players and coaches felt the blue jersey reduced visibility because it matched the colour of the turf. “Their suggestion was that on the field, the hockey turf is blue, and the players’ playing kit was also blue. So technical visibility during play was affected because of that overlap. Somewhere, they were feeling that issue,” he said. He added that the team suggested two colours , yellow and orange, and orange was chosen because it is one of the colours in the Indian national flag. “They suggested two colour options: yellow and orange. It was noted that orange is also one of our national colours from the Indian flag. So orange was chosen and designed accordingly. If after the tournament or in the future the players feel otherwise, we can work again on improving the kit colour,” he said. Also Read - Rahane’s greatest Test innings: 5 knocks that defined his overseas legacy Tirkey said Hockey India would be open to changing the jersey again if players were not comfortable with the orange kit in the future. “If after or during the World Cup, the team or players do not feel comfortable with the orange colour–which was introduced based on their own request–we can definitely change it in the future to a colour that the team prefers,” he said. He further stressed that the decision was driven by technical reasons and player feedback. “There was a specific request from players and coaches. On blue hockey turf, wearing blue jerseys created visual overlap during fast gameplay, reducing contrast and clarity. Secondly, Orange is represented in our national flag. Out of the two options requested by the squad (orange and yellow), orange was selected,” he said. “For this World Cup, the orange kit is designated as the primary jersey, with white as the secondary kit. If required later, adjustments can always be made,” Tirkey added. With inputs from agencies

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey said the switch from blue to orange jerseys was made on the recommendation of players and coaches due to visibility issues on blue turf.

Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey breaks silence on team's jersey colour change from blue to saffron

Former India hockey captain and Olympian Viren Rasquinha has criticised Hockey India’s decision to introduce an orange jersey for the national team, saying India’s hockey identity has always been linked with the colour blue. His comments came after Hockey India unveiled the new jerseys for the senior men’s and women’s teams on Jul 27 ahead of the upcoming FIH Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cups.&nbsp;The men’s World Cup will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from Aug 14 to 30, while the women’s tournament is scheduled from Aug 15 to 30.&nbsp;Sharing his views on X, Viren wrote, “I must say that @TheHockeyIndia has done many good things for (hockey emotes). But this is embarrassing. The legacy &amp; identity of the Indian team has always been BLUE. I wore the Blue jersey with pride for many years. Fans want to see our Indian team in blue. What is the logic of orange?”&nbsp;India have been placed in Pool D alongside England, Wales and arch-rivals Pakistan. The team won its only Hockey World Cup title in 1975 after defeating Pakistan 2-1 in the final, but has not lifted the trophy since.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ajinkya-rahane-retires-from-international-cricket-1785388583556">Ajinkya Rahane retires from international cricket</a>&nbsp;After finishing ninth at the 2023 World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India will look to improve its performance this year. The team heads into the tournament with confidence after winning back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, the Asia Cup title and two Asian Champions Trophy crowns.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-set-to-appoint-stephen-fleming-as-test-head-coach-1785384520578">England set to appoint Stephen Fleming as Test head coach</a>&nbsp;The Indian women’s team will begin its campaign against China on Aug 16 before taking on South Africa and England in Pool D.&nbsp;Before the team’s departure, captain Salima Tete expressed confidence in the squad’s preparations.&nbsp;“The entire squad is looking forward to the challenge ahead. We’ve had a good training block, and now it’s about carrying that momentum into the practice matches and then the World Cup. Facing China in our opening game will be an important test, and we want to start the tournament on a positive note. As a team, we are determined to give our best and make the country proud.”&nbsp;&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Former India hockey skipper Viren Rasquinha has criticised the colour change in India's new jersey for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, terming the move "embarrassing".

Former India hockey captain and Olympian Viren Rasquinha has criticised Hockey India’s decision to introduce an orange jersey for the national team, saying India’s hockey identity has always been linked with the colour blue. His comments came after Hockey India unveiled the new jerseys for the senior men’s and women’s teams on Jul 27 ahead of the upcoming FIH Men’s and Women’s Hockey World Cups. The men’s World Cup will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from Aug 14 to 30, while the women’s tournament is scheduled from Aug 15 to 30. Sharing his views on X, Viren wrote, “I must say that @TheHockeyIndia has done many good things for (hockey emotes). But this is embarrassing. The legacy & identity of the Indian team has always been BLUE. I wore the Blue jersey with pride for many years. Fans want to see our Indian team in blue. What is the logic of orange?” India have been placed in Pool D alongside England, Wales and arch-rivals Pakistan. The team won its only Hockey World Cup title in 1975 after defeating Pakistan 2-1 in the final, but has not lifted the trophy since. Also Read - Ajinkya Rahane retires from international cricket After finishing ninth at the 2023 World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India will look to improve its performance this year. The team heads into the tournament with confidence after winning back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, the Asia Cup title and two Asian Champions Trophy crowns. Also Read - England set to appoint Stephen Fleming as Test head coach The Indian women’s team will begin its campaign against China on Aug 16 before taking on South Africa and England in Pool D. Before the team’s departure, captain Salima Tete expressed confidence in the squad’s preparations. “The entire squad is looking forward to the challenge ahead. We’ve had a good training block, and now it’s about carrying that momentum into the practice matches and then the World Cup. Facing China in our opening game will be an important test, and we want to start the tournament on a positive note. As a team, we are determined to give our best and make the country proud.” With inputs from agencies

Former India hockey skipper Viren Rasquinha has criticised the colour change in India's new jersey for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, terming the move "embarrassing".

'What is logic of orange?': Former hockey captain Viren Rasquinha questions new India jersey

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Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey breaks silence on team's jersey colour change from blue to saffron

'What is logic of orange?': Viren Rasquinha questions new India jersey