Dhoni will have to remove dagger insignia from gloves: ICC

IPL 2024: MS Dhoni hands over CSK captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad --- File Photo

With Indians across all paths of life coming together and showing their support for former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni after the International Cricket Council (ICC) asked him to remove the “Balidaan Badge” from his wicketkeeping gloves, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) running Indian cricket had sent in a request to the ICC asking the game’s parent body to allow Dhoni to have the logo on his gloves. But the request has been rejected.

Speaking to IANS, sources in the know of developments saidthat the ICC has made it clear that it is not possible to approve the gloveswith the ‘Balidaan Badge’.

   

The ICC has told the Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) that the regulations for ICC events do not permit any individual messageand that the logo also breaches the regulations in relation to what ispermitted on wicketkeeping gloves.

During the CoA meeting in Mumbai on Friday, one of themembers had said that an approval had been sought so that Dhoni can continuewearing the gloves with the logo.

“Yes, we are aware of the issue with Dhoni’s badge. Butthis is not a political or religious sentiment and we have requested the ICC togrant permission to Dhoni to sport the badge on his gloves,” the COAmember had told IANS.

An ICC official had said that the council would consider therequest if the BCCI convinced them that the logo did not have any political orreligious message.

India’s opening game in the ongoing World Cup saw Dhoni onceagain profess his love for the security forces after he was spotted with theregimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces on hiswicketkeeping gloves.

Speaking to IANS, Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager,Strategic Communications, had said that the BCCI had been asked to get thesymbol removed from Dhoni’s gloves. “We have requested the BCCI to get itremoved,” she had said on Thursday.

The Army insignia was spotted on Dhoni’s gloves astelevision replays showed him stumping Andile Phehlukwayo in the 40th over ofthe innings bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal.

“Balidaan” is a distinct insignia of the specialforces, which form part of the Parachute Regiment. It has a commando daggerpointed downwards, with upward-extending wings extending from the blade and ascroll superimposed on the blade with “Balidaan” inscribed inDevanagari. Only Paramilitary Commandos are allowed to wear the Balidaan Badge.

Dhoni, who was conferred the honorary rank of LieutenantColonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011, had also undergone training underthe Para Brigade in 2015.

Twitter though was abuzz with fans showing respect to Dhoni.One fan wrote: “Salute & respect to MS Dhoni who printed insignia of’Balidan’ on his wicket keeping gloves.”

Another fan wrote: “This man shows his love for the nation and army. A Regimental Dragger(BALIDAN) of Indian Army Para Special Force on MS Dhoni Gloves. #IndianArmy #Balidan.” But the ICC feels otherwise. The ICC regulations says: “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.” IANS

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