Former captain questions orange jersey, Hockey India explains

Former Indian hockey captain Viraas Raskinha voiced disappointment on social media after the federation announced an orange jersey for the squad. He praised Hockey India’s overall work but called the colour switch “embarrassing,” arguing that blue has been the team’s identity for decades and that fans expect to see the side in blue.

In response, Hockey India released a statement clarifying that the uniform change was based on extensive feedback from coaching staff, support personnel, and players. The primary concern was that the blue kit blended with the blue synthetic pitch, hampering player movement and on‑field visibility. After evaluating alternatives, orange was selected for its contrast and symbolic connection to the national flag.

The federation also reminded followers that kit colour revisions have occurred before, citing the yellow uniform of the 2014 World Cup and the sky‑blue attire of 2018, each introduced to address specific technical requirements.