The decision to change the Indian hockey team’s primary jersey colour to saffron for the upcoming World Cup has prompted criticism from former captains Pargat Singh and Dhanraj Pillay. Both expressed that the blue jersey has long been a key part of the team’s identity. The change was unveiled by Hockey India for both the men’s and women’s teams ahead of the World Cup, which is scheduled to commence on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Dhanraj Pillay, who represented India in 339 international matches, including four Olympics, four World Cups, and four Champions Trophy tournaments, stated that the blue jersey has been associated with Indian hockey for decades. He acknowledged saffron as an important and auspicious colour, being part of the National Flag, but highlighted that it has never been the traditional colour for Indian hockey. He questioned the sudden alteration after many years, noting that players identify with the national team’s traditional colours.
According to Dhanraj, teams from the 1928 Olympic team to those featuring legends like Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh Sr., Mohammad Shahid, and Zafar Iqbal, as well as the 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal-winning side, all played in blue. He mentioned that throughout his nearly 15-year career, the jersey remained blue. He drew a distinction between national team attire and that of franchise tournaments like the IPL or Hockey India League, where teams often wear varied colours.
Concerns from Former Players
Pargat Singh, another former Indian captain, was more critical of the move. He suggested that the change is part of a broader trend of “saffronisation” affecting various sectors, including education, history, and now sports. Pargat emphasised that sports typically unite people and transcend religion, caste, and politics, expressing concern about such thinking entering the sporting arena.
Both Pargat and Dhanraj dismissed Hockey India’s explanation that the colour change was necessary due to hockey being played on blue astro turf, citing improved visibility. Dhanraj noted that the team has played on blue turf for several years without any issues related to jersey colour. He questioned if the FIH had issued any directives regarding difficulties caused by a blue jersey. Pargat echoed this sentiment, stating he never experienced such an issue and questioned why saffron was chosen if visibility was a concern, implying other options might have been available.
Hockey India, however, has maintained its stance, asserting that the decision was made after considering technical feedback from coaches and players. They also cited the symbolic value of saffron as a colour present in the National Flag. Former India captain Viren Rasquinha has also voiced reservations regarding the change.
A Legacy of Blue
Pargat also rejected the claim that the decision was based on feedback from players and coaches, stating that such recommendations are not typically made by them. He pointed out that the FIH already has the team’s jersey colours registered. He reiterated that the blue jersey has always been the identity of the Indian hockey team, with generations of players, from prominent figures to the current squad, representing India in blue.
He highlighted that iconic photographs of Indian hockey consistently show players in blue, even during training sessions in their playing days. Pargat added that while India traditionally had a white change kit, the saffron jersey has now been registered as the primary strip. He found no logical reasoning behind this decision.
Dhanraj recalled only one instance where India did not wear a blue jersey as their primary kit, which was during a match against Argentina at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where the team wore a yellow shirt with blue shorts.
The controversy began after Hockey India unveiled the new kit for the men’s and women’s teams ahead of the World Cup, scheduled to begin on August 15.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
