Dhoni Keep The Glove: Fans request MSD to keep sporting Indian Army's 'Balidaan' insignia after ICC asks to remove it

After MS Dhoni was seen donning the Army insignia in his gloves during South Africa, ICC asked BCCI not to allow Dhoni to wear it against Australia on Sunday.  

Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager - Strategic Communications, told PTI that the apex body has requested the Indian cricket board to have the sign removed. It is against the regulations and we have requested it is removed," Furlong said.  When asked if Dhoni could be penalised for the breach of an ICC regulation, she added: "For first breach no, just a request to remove".

However, MS Dhoni’s fans were not impressed with ICC's directive and wanted the former Indian captain to keep wearing the gloves with the insignia of Indian Army's PARA Special Forces called 'Balidaan'. 

The sign on his gloves is of Balidaan and he won't remove it. We stand by him. We are proud of Lt. Col MS Dhoni.#DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/jn3xtozcfi

— #LaayegaToKohliHi (@ananyaa_18) June 6, 2019

#DhoniKeepTheGlove Sorry to see ICC has the rules for these insignificant things colors, badges, emblems etc etc but no strong rules for corruption & bullying.

— Totlani Krishan (@kktotlani) June 6, 2019

#DhoniKeepTheGlove we are all with you #JaiHind pic.twitter.com/JckR6BZWlt

—  (@Imcckr) June 6, 2019

I stand with Dhoni #DhoniKeepTheGlove

— Hitesh Singh Tomar (@TomarHitesh) June 6, 2019

#DhoniKeepTheGlove
I support Dhoni carrying insignia on his gloves. What is @BCCI doing?

— Ravi Ranjan Kumar (@Raviranjan_76) June 6, 2019

If players can wear gear supporting their religious believes, why restrict them from wearing and supporting other fields? #ICC #DhoniKeepTheGlove #CricketWorldCup2019

— CuriousDesi (@desi_curious) June 6, 2019

#DhoniKeepTheGlove - India stands with Dhoni. Keep the glove on. Let BCCI figure it out how to get through the permissions or documents. We need the Glove on Dhoni

— Mrunalini (@rao_mrunalini) June 6, 2019

We are proud of our security forces and captain of captains captain cool MS Dhoni. It's not a provocation. Mahi is a gentleman. #DhoniKeepTheGlove #MSD #MSDhoni

— Chowkidar Sudhir Mishra (@sudhirmishra260) June 6, 2019

M S Dhoni. India is with you Do not remove the badge irrespective of the pressures of the ICC Dhoni is a patriot , he wears a badge of honour and we respect him for it What is the big fuss?? Well done Dhoni !!!! Jai Jawan Jai Hind #DhoniKeepTheGlove

— Dr Kiran Kathpalia (@kirankathpalia) June 6, 2019

During the opening World Cup fixture against South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday, Dhoni's gloves attracted special attention when the TV cameras zoomed in. The regimental dagger insignia of the para forces was embossed on his green wicket-keeping gloves. Dhoni's love for the Indian Army is well known. While there is a possibility that Dhoni may have worn these gloves with the dagger insignia earlier also, it did get a lot of traction on social media with fans loving his unique way of paying tribute to the armed forces.

The insignia sported by MS Dhoni on his gloves is called the 'Balidaan' badge or patch. Balidaan is a distinct insignia of the special forces, which form part of the Parachute Regiment. It has a commando dagger pointed downwards, with upward-extending wings extending from the blade and a scroll superimposed on the blade with “Balidaan” inscribed in Devanagari. Only Paramilitary Commandos are allowed to wear the Balidaan Badge.

MS Dhoni has said it many times that he wanted to join the Indian Army. Due to his achievements as a cricketer, Dhoni was given a honoury commission as a Lt Colonel in the territorial army. He was commissioned into the 106 Para TA batallion. While the commission was honorary, Dhoni underwent the para basic course in Agra and had completed para jumps, earning his parachute wings as well.