Some in India’s opposition see red over new orange cricket jerseys

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MUMBAI/MANCHESTER (Reuters): Some opposition politicians yesterday slammed the Indian national cricket team’s new orange jerseys, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-wing Hindu nationalist party of pushing its trademark saffron hue on the team.

“For the past five years, the Modi-led Government is trying to saffronise each and every thing. Be it sports, cultural activities or anything for that matter,” said Congress lawmaker Arif Naseem Khan, according to Reuters partner ANI.

But an International Cricket Council (ICC) source told ANI that the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) had simply opted for orange over its classic blue jersey to distinguish itself from England, whom India are due to play in the World Cup on Sunday. BCCI officials were not immediately available. India’s bowling coach Bharat Arun brushed aside the controversy during a chat with reporters at Old Trafford yesterday. “We are not even aware of what colour we are going to be wearing, so we have not given any thought to that. All our focus is on the match tomorrow,” he said, alluding to today’s game against West Indies.