Viren Rasquinha Criticises India Hockey Team's New Orange Jersey

Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha has voiced strong criticism against Hockey Indias decision to introduce an orange jersey for the national team, arguing it undermines the teams long-standing identity and legacy associated with the colour blue.IMAGE: Hockey India unveiled a new all-orange jersey for Indias Mens and Womens FIH World Cup campaigns. Photograph: Kind courtesy Hockey India/X Key PointsFormer India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha criticised Hockey Indias decision to change the national teams jersey colour to orange, citing a loss of identity and legacy.Rasquinha emphasised that the Indian teams traditional colour has always been blue, which he wore with pride for many years.He drew a parallel with Argentinas football team, questioning if they would ever abandon their iconic blue and white stripes.The new orange jerseys were unveiled ahead of the upcoming FIH Mens and Womens Hockey World Cups.Indias mens team, drawn in Pool D, aims to end a 50-year World Cup drought, building on recent Olympic bronze medals and Asia Cup titles. Former India hockey captain and Olympian Viren Rasquinha questioned Hockey Indias decision to have the national team wear an orange jersey, saying the teams identity and legacy have always been associated with the colour blue.Rasquinhas Disappointment on XThe former Olympians remarks came after Hockey India unveiled the new jerseys for the senior mens and womens teams on July 27, ahead of the upcoming FIH Mens and Womens Hockey World Cups. The mens tournament is scheduled to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30, while the womens tournament will take place from August 15 to 30.Expressing his disappointment on X, Viren wrote, I must say that @TheHockeyIndia has done many good things for Indian hockey. But this is embarrassing. The legacy & identity of the Indian team has always been BLUE. I wore the Blue jersey with pride for many years. Fans want to see our Indian team in blue. What is the logic of orange?Clarifying the CriticismIMAGE: Former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha. Photograph: Kind courtesy Viren Rasquinha/Facebook Rasquinha received a lot of unnecessary flak for his post on X, and the former India captain explained his criticism of the jersey colour.I'm seeing many unnecessary political comments on this. I don't want to get into any of that. My simple & humble point is on pride, identity & legacy. India is to hockey what Argentina is to Football. Will we ever see Argentina wearing Orange and White stripes as their 1st jersey? he asked.Hockey India gives details about new jerseyHI said saffron symbolises courage, sacrifice and victory.The jersey also has Mandala inspired patterns which celebrate Indias cultural heritage. Hockey India said that the deep navy blue accents are inspired by the Ashoka Chakra, which symbolises progress, peace and focus.HI said the chest graphic is a modern interpretation of the Sudarshan Chakra, symbolising strength, unity, and momentum.There is also a tricolour piping along the shoulders and sides, which reinforces national pride.INDIA is written on the front of the jersey in stylised Devanagari script to celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity.New jersey design embodies the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat -- One India, Supreme India, HI said in the jersey launch video.Besides saffron, the Indian teams will also have white jerseys in their kits featuring the same new design.Indias World Cup AspirationsIndia are drawn in Pool D along with England, Wales and arch-rivals Pakistan. Having won the 1975 edition by beating Pakistan 2-1 in the final, the World Cup glory has eluded India for the last 50 years. Having registered a ninth-place finish in the 2023 edition held at Bhubaneswar, India will be aiming to bring the gold home, riding on the back of the momentum of two back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, an Asia Cup title win, two Asian Champions Trophy wins and an Asia Cup gold. India womens side will begin its campaign against China on 16 August, followed by matches against South Africa and England in Pool D.