Why has India’s hockey jersey turned saffron? | In Focus podcast

For decades, blue has been synonymous with Indian sport. So why has Hockey India decided to replace it with saffron as the primary colour of the men’s national team’s jersey ahead of the FIH Hockey World Cup? The move has sparked criticism from former players, administrators, fans and politicians, raising questions that go far beyond the design of a kit.In this episode of In Focus, we look at how the decision was made, whether the federation followed due process, if players and support staff were genuinely consulted, and whether Hockey India’s technical explanation for the change stands up to scrutiny.Guest: Uthra Ganesan, The Hindu’s hockey correspondentHost: Reuben Joe JosephEdited by Sharmada VenkatasubramanianListen to more In Focus podcasts: Published - August 06, 2026 04:16 pm IST