India’s men’s and women’s hockey teams will revert to their iconic blue home kits at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, pushing the controversial saffron jerseys to second-choice status.
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Saffron Kit Backlash Finally Reversed
Hockey India has confirmed blue as its first-choice colour for the tournament, with saffron listed as the secondary option. This marks a reversal of HI’s decision to ditch the long-standing blue home kits for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026, a move that sparked backlash from former players, federation officials, and fans alike.
HI had previously justified the switch by claiming blue kits blended into the blue artificial turf used internationally, making it harder for players to identify teammates. But for the Asian Games, HI treasurer Shekar Manoharan confirmed the federation submitted blue as its preferred colour to the Indian Olympic Association, with saffron kept as backup.
Asian Games 2026: Indian Hockey Team – Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Asian Games 2026 |
| Venue | Aichi-Nagoya, Japan |
| Dates | September 19 – October 4, 2026 |
| Hockey Venue | Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium |
| Home Kit | Blue (first choice) |
| Secondary Kit | Saffron |
India’s Title Defence
Both Indian hockey teams have qualified after finishing top-six in the previous edition, with the men’s team entering as defending Hangzhou 2023 champions. Coached by Craig Fulton and led by Harmanpreet Singh, the men’s side opens against Indonesia on September 20. The women’s team, under Sjoerd Marijne and captain Salima Tete, begins against Uzbekistan the same day.
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