World Cup 2019: ICC requests MS Dhoni to remove Army insignia from gloves The International Cricket Council has asked the BCCI to get the army symbol removed from Dhoni's gloves. Know all about Dhoni’s Balidaan Badge here.

World Cup 2019: ICC requests MS Dhoni to remove Army insignia from gloves

The International Cricket Council has asked the BCCI to get the army symbol removed from Dhoni's gloves. Know all about Dhoni’s Balidaan Badge here.

SANGEETA NAIR

JUN 8, 2019 16:40 IST

ICC asks BCCI to get Dhoni to remove army dagger insignia from gloves

India’s MS Dhoni has been requested by the ICC to remove the regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces from his wicket-keeping gloves. The International Cricket Council has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India to get the symbol removed from Dhoni's gloves.

What is the controversy all about?

Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni was spotted wearing the 'Balidaan Badge', an army insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves during India’s opening match in World Cup 2019 against South Africa. 

The gloves came into focus when television replays showed Dhoni stumping Andile Phehlukwayo in the 40th over on a ball bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal. 

What is the Balidaan badge?

The Balidaan badge is an army insignia that represents the Indian Para Special Forces, a special operations unit of Indian Army attached to Parachute Regiment. 

The regimental symbol comprises a commando dagger pointed downwards, with upward-extending wings that extend from the blade and a scroll superimposed on the blade with "Balidaan" inscribed on it in Devanagari script. 

Only commandos of the paramilitary are allowed to wear the Balidaan Badge. Dhoni had undergone training under the para brigade in 2015 and he was conferred with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011.

#DhoniKeepTheGlove, roars Twitter! Since the news of ICC’s request to get Dhoni to remove his gloves broke, Twitter has been abuzz with Indian fans extending their support to the former Indian skipper, praising him for his silent tribute to Indian armed forces. The Twitterati has expressed displeasure to the ICC request and has requested Dhoni to keep his gloves.

What is ICC saying on the gloves matter?

As per ICC rules, “The ICC equipment and clothing regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match."

As a result, the ICC asked the BCCI on June 6 to get the symbol removed from Dhoni's gloves. ICC general manager - strategic communications, Claire Furlong said, “It is against the regulations and we have requested it to be removed.”

As far as penalty for the violation is concerned, Furlong clarified that for the first breach of ICC rules, there is no penalty, just a request to remove.

BCCI stands with Dhoni

The Chief of Committee of Administrators (CoA),Vinod Rai has confirmed that the BCCI is seeking permission for MS Dhoni to wear 'Balidaan' insignia on his gloves. The Committee of Administrators looks after the administration of the BCCI.

As per reports, BCCI has come out strongly in favour of Dhoni in the issue and the cricket body believes that the dagger insignia is neither commercial nor religious; it is not even of Dhoni’s regiment. The BCCI is looking to go through formal channels to get approval for Dhoni's special gloves.

Pakistan’s Minister slams Dhoni for sporting army crest Pakistan's Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, slammed Dhoni and the Indian media in a tweet that read, "Dhoni is in England to play cricket, not for Mahabharta , what an idiotic debate in Indian Media, a section of Indian media is so obsessed with War, they should be sent to Syria, Afghanistan or Rwanda as mercenaries.” India would be playing its second world cup match against Australia on June 9, 2019.