The decision to make saffron the primary color of the Indian hockey team’s jersey for the upcoming World Cup drew criticism from former captains Pargat Singh and Dhanraj Pillay, who said the blue jersey has long been the team’s identity. “Everything in the country is saffronized,” said former Indian captain Pargat Singh while criticizing Hockey India’s decision.The debate started after Hockey India unveiled the new kit for the men’s and women’s teams ahead of the World Cup, which begins on August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.While former India captain Viren Rasquinha also expressed reservations about the move, Hockey India maintained that the decision was taken considering both the technical feedback received from the coaches and players and the symbolic value associated with the color that is part of the National Flag.Dhanrajwho represented India in 339 international matches, including four Olympics, four World Cups and four Champions Trophy tournaments, said the blue jersey has been associated with Indian hockey for decades.“The blue jersey has become the identity of Indian hockey. Being one of the colors of our national flag, saffron is important and auspicious, but it has never been the traditional color of Indian hockey. I don’t understand why this has suddenly changed after so many years,” Dhanraj told news agency PTI.“From the 1928 Olympic team to the era of Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh Sr., Mohammad Shahid, Zafar Iqbal and even the 1980 Moscow Olympic gold medal-winning side, they all played in the blue jersey. I played for almost 15 years and throughout my career our jersey has been blue.”He said the players identify with the traditional colors of the national team.“This is not a franchise tournament like the IPL or Hockey India League where teams wear different colours. The identity of the Indian team has always been the blue jersey,” he said.Recalling the only exception he recalled, Dhanraj said India wore a yellow shirt with blue shorts in a match against Argentina during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.I also questioned the argument that the change was necessary because hockey is now played on astro turf.“The team has played on the blue turf for many years and I have never seen any problem because of the color of the shirt. Is there a direction from the FIH regarding a blue jersey that creates difficulties?”, he said.Pargat, one of India’s former captains was more critical of the move.“Everything in the country is saffronized – education, history and now even sports. This is worrying. Sports unites people and rises above religion, caste and politics. It is unfortunate if such thinking also enters sports,” he said, as quoted by news agency PTI.He also rejected Hockey India’s explanation that the change was made to improve visibility on the blue turf.“I’ve never had such a problem. Even if visibility was a concern, why choose just this color? Were there no other options?” I askedPargat also rejected claims that the decision was based on feedback from players and coaches.“Players and coaches don’t usually make such recommendations. The FIH has already registered our jersey colors. The identity of the Indian hockey team has always been the blue jersey,” he said.He pointed out that generations of Indian players, from the country’s biggest names to the current team, have represented India in blue.“In every iconic photograph of Indian hockey, our players are seen in blue. Even during our playing days we trained in blue. It has become the identity of Indian hockey,” he said.Pargat added that while India traditionally had a white change kit, the saffron jersey has now been registered as the primary strip.“I don’t see any logic behind this decision,” I said.