India’s hockey teams will return to their traditional blue jerseys at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey has confirmed, bringing an end to the controversy surrounding the change in kit colours.
The Indian men’s and women’s teams had worn saffron as their primary jersey during the Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium last month. Hockey India had also planned to continue with the same colour at the Asian Games.
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The decision to switch from blue to saffron was taken on July 27. Hockey India had said the move was a technical decision, aimed at improving visibility and avoiding confusion between the traditional blue jersey and the blue playing surface.
However, the decision quickly attracted criticism from several former India captains and prominent hockey figures, including Viren Rasquinha, Dhanraj Pillay, Ajit Pal Singh, Vasudevan Baskaran and Pargat Singh.
The jersey change also led to differences within Hockey India. Tirkey had said the decision was taken without his knowledge, while secretary Bhola Nath Singh maintained that all officials had been informed about the change.
With the Asian Games approaching, Hockey India has now reversed course.
Speaking to PTI during the send-off ceremony for the Asian Games-bound Indian contingent, Tirkey said the Indian Olympic Association had provided Hockey India with different options for the team kit. Blue was subsequently selected as the first-choice colour, while orange will serve as the second option.
Tirkey also reiterated that the saffron jersey was never intended to be a permanent replacement for blue.
“I had stated even before the World Cup that the orange jersey colour was not permanent,” Tirkey said, adding that blue would return for the Asian Games.
The controversy had initially centred not only on the colour itself but also on the manner in which the decision was taken. In an internal communication to Hockey India officials, Tirkey reportedly objected to the fact that the change had not been placed before the Executive Board for discussion.
For the Hockey India president, the issue was therefore less about whether the team should wear blue or orange and more about ensuring that major decisions were taken after consultation with the elected leadership.
The return to blue comes after a mixed World Cup campaign for the Indian teams. The men’s side finished eighth after recording two wins from six matches. The women’s team produced a stronger showing, finishing fifth with two victories and three draws in six matches.
At the Asian Games, the Harmanpreet Singh-led men’s side will enter the tournament as defending champions. India will be aiming for a record fifth Asian Games gold medal.
The women’s team will have a different target as it looks to end a 44-year wait for the Asian Games title. India finished third in the 2022 edition and will be hoping to go all the way in Japan this time.
With blue restored as the primary kit, India’s hockey teams will head into the Asian Games with a familiar look—and plenty to prove on the field.
