New Delhi: There is a serious discussion underway among those making decisions regarding the ongoing Cricket World Cup on whether the Indian team should don a fully or at least “predominantly” saffron playing uniform – rather than the signature blue – while playing Pakistan on Saturday (October 14), veteran sports journalist Sharda Ugra says in the upcoming episode of ‘Out of the Park’, The Wire’s YouTube show about the World Cup.BCCI has said that there is no such plan, and the Indian team will wear blue as always. Ashish Shelar, honorary treasurer, BCCI, said: “We categorically dismiss the media reports that Team India will be donning an alternative match kit against Pakistan. These reports are absolutely baseless and a work of someone’s imagination. The Men in Blue will sport India colours – Blue at ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.”After the match, in a case of “sports-washing”, as Ugra puts it, if these new jerseys are in fact worn, they will then be auctioned off and the proceeds donated to Unicef. “So that’s how it gets nicely laundered.” The Indian cricket team wore saffron jerseys during a recent practice session at the Cricket World Cup, leading to speculation on if blue was being abandoned. There is a new segment on Ugra’s show titled, “I’m trying not to think this is political.”In another discussion that is definitely more political than sports-related, there was earlier talk on whether the team would be called ‘Team India’ or ‘Team Bharat’. Ever since the opposition alliance announced that it would be called INDIA (short for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance), the Narendra Modi government and Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have been insisting that the country should be called ‘Bharat’ instead. Known supporters of the government, including Virender Sehwag and Akshay Kumar, have already been referring to the team as Bharat. Eventually, however, it was decided that since it had always been called ‘Team India’, changing the name at this point would complicate the situation, Ugra says.In other possible developments, cricketers from abroad may tweet about the tournament in ways that highlight India’s so-called Vishwaguru status and heads of state of other countries may be invited to watch the matches in person if the Indian team progresses, Ugra says.Watch ‘Out of the Park’ on The Wire’s Youtube channel. You can see episode 1 here.Note: This article was updated at 5:25 pm on October 8 with BCCI’s response.