New Delhi:Former India captain Pargat Singh on Thursday questioned the decision to make saffron the Indian hockey team’s primary jersey colour ahead of the upcoming World Cup, alleging that “everything in the country is being saffronised”, while legendary forward Dhanraj Pillay said the blue jersey has been the sport’s identity for decades.

The controversy erupted after Hockey India unveiled saffron as the primary jersey for the men’s and women’s teams for the World Cup, beginning August 15 in the Netherlands and Belgium.

While former India captain Viren Rasquinha has also expressed reservations over the move, Hockey India has maintained that the decision was taken considering both the technical feedback received from the coaches and players and the symbolic value associated with the colour being part of the National Flag.

Dhanraj, who represented India in 339 international matches, including four Olympics, four World Cups and four Champions Trophy tournaments, said the blue jersey has remained synonymous with Indian hockey for generations. “The blue jersey has become the identity of Indian hockey. Being one of the colours of our national flag, saffron is important and auspicious but it has never been the traditional colour of Indian hockey. I don’t understand why this has suddenly changed after so many years,” Dhanraj told PTI.