- Both the men’s and women’s teams wore saffron jerseys.
- Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey had earlier said blue would be India’s first-choice colour.
- Hockey India sources cited visibility concerns on blue turf for the choice of saffron.
The Indian hockey teams once again found themselves at the centre of a jersey controversy after both the men's and women's sides turned out in saffron kits for their opening matches at the Asian Games 2026 on Sunday.
The news came despite Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey's pre-event assurance that the teams would wear their traditional blue jerseys at the continental competition.
The men's team wore saffron while taking on Indonesia in their opening Pool A match, while the women's team also donned the same colour against Uzbekistan. Both matches were played in Kakamilgahara, Japan, with the Indian sides beginning their respective campaigns in dominant fashion.
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The latest incident has brought the jersey issue back into focus after a similar controversy emerged during last month's World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Saffron Kits Return At Asian Games
India's hockey teams had first appeared in saffron during the recent World Cup, prompting questions within the federation.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey had subsequently stated that the change had been made without the knowledge or approval of the federation's elected leadership and Executive Board.
The disagreement eventually became part of a wider internal dispute within Hockey India, with Tirkey and secretary Bhola Nath Singh taking different positions over the issue.
Ahead of the Asian Games, however, Tirkey had indicated that the traditional blue would return as India's primary colour.
Dilip Tirkey Had Assured Blue Jerseys
During the send-off ceremony for India's Asian Games-bound contingent, Tirkey said that Hockey India had selected blue as the team's first-choice kit after the Indian Olympic Association provided options regarding the colours.
“The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had given us options regarding the team kit colours and Hockey India selected blue as the first choice for the Indian team’s kit. Orange will be the second choice,” Tirkey had said.
However, the teams' appearances on Sunday did not match that assurance, with both sides taking the field in saffron.
Hockey India Source Offers Different Explanation
A Hockey India source, speaking to a source on condition of anonymity, claimed that the playing-kit arrangements for the Asian Games had always included saffron and a combination of white and sky blue.
“The two colours for the Indian teams' playing kits for the Asian Games 2026 were always saffron and the combination of white and sky blue, which was approved by the HI president himself,” the source told.
The source also questioned why Tirkey had stated that India would wear an all-blue kit at the Asian Games.
“As to why the president then said that India will wear all-blue at the Asian Games is something you need to ask the president himself,” the source added.
Why Was India's Jersey Changed?
The rationale previously provided for moving away from blue was linked to visibility. Since the playing surface itself is blue, officials had argued that wearing a similar-coloured jersey could create visibility issues for players.
India have traditionally been associated with blue hockey jerseys, with the colour forming a major part of the team's identity since the country's Olympic debut in 1928, apart from a few isolated instances.
The return of saffron at the Asian Games has therefore revived questions surrounding the decision-making process and the communication within Hockey India, particularly after the contrasting statements made before the tournament.