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India’s saffron jersey switch has sparked fresh debate at the Hockey World Cup after India lost to England and the Netherlands, both wearing light-blue kits. Hockey India had cited visibility concerns on blue artificial turf for changing India’s traditional blue jersey. The contrasting kits have raised questions over whether the technical justification for the switch was convincing.

India’s controversial saffron jersey switch has come under fresh scrutiny at the Hockey World Cup. Hockey India had changed the team’s traditional blue kit, citing concerns that the colour could blend with the blue artificial turf and affect visibility. But at the same World Cup, India have now lost to two teams wearing light-blue kits.

England’s men defeated India 4-2 while wearing light blue. The result came after India had taken a 2-1 lead before England turned the match around. The colour contrast has since added fuel to the debate over India’s jersey change.

The issue also surfaced in the women’s tournament when the Netherlands wore light blue against India. The Dutch team defeated India 2-0 on the same blue artificial surface. Netherlands have traditionally sported the Orange/Saffron shade for years, but had no qualms on the light blue kit which caused a stir in India.

This has raised questions over why light blue is considered suitable for other teams but India’s traditional blue was viewed as a visibility concern. India's controversial switch to saffron was debated, but players and coaches defended the decision, saying Hockey India made the change for technical reasons. Saffron was also chosen as a colour that represents courage, sacrifice and national pride.