MS Dhoni gloves controversy: BCCI backs Dhoni for having army insignia on wicket-keeping gloves during 2019 Cricket World Cup

MS Dhoni gloves controversy: CoA write to the ICC asking the Governing Council to allow Dhoni to sport the Balidan Badge on his gloves.

Ever since the International Cricket Council have asked the Board Of Control For Cricket In India to get wicket-keeper MS Dhoni to remove the Rudimental Badge from his gloves, the issue has taken over the cricketing fraternity. The ICC have ever since their move come under heavy backlash from ex-Indian cricketers, several revered members of the Indian Army and Indian cricket supporters all over the land.

MS Dhoni gloves controversy

The issue took no time to blow up with a slew of people coming out on Twitter with #DhoniKeepTheGlove to support the Indian cricketer and back the patriotic move. People were upset with the ICC citing its zero tolerance policy against politic and religious messages being worn on any piece by a player at its international event.

The regulations in place by the ICC state, & Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey messages through arm bands or other items affixed to clothing or equipment unless approved in advance by both the player or team official’s Board and the ICC Cricket Operations Department. Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes.

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.

However, the Army’s insignia embedded on Dhoni’s gloves was neither political or religious. Dhoni, who is a member of the Indian Para Forces, was spotted wearing the contingents’ regimental dagger insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves, spotted during his dismissal of South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo. The badge which consists of a dagger pointing downwards with upward extending wings can be worn by any member of the Parachute Regiment, Special Forces which it represents.

BCCI backs MS Dhoni

And backing the raucous call of the Indian population are the BCCI with the body confirming that they have decided to back Dhoni and the Indian Cricket Team to the till in this issue. Confirming that they have written to the ICC asking them to allow Dhoni to continue sporting the Balidaan Bade, CoA chief Vinod Rai said the symbol was neither political or religious.

“We have already written (to ICC to seek permission for MS Dhoni to wear ‘Balidaan’ insignia on his gloves), will speak more after the meeting (CoA meeting),” he was quoted as saying on television. BCCI CEO Rahul Johri is expected to rake up the matter with ICC officials in a couple of days as well.

This is the second time in the matter of a couple of months that the ICC has had a problem with the Indian team getting behind the country’s army Earlier during the India vs Australia ODI series, the international council had objected to Indian team wearing the Army’s caps during an ODI of the five match series.

CoA chief Vinod Rai support MS Dhoni’s army gloves

How Twitter reacted:

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