Cricket World Cup 2019: No ICC love for Dhoni's gloves, says it breaches regulations

Mahendra Singh Dhoni will continue wearing the dagger insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves as it is not a military symbol, Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai asserted Friday, saying that the BCCI has sought the ICC's permission for it.

During India's opening World Cup game against South Africa in Southampton, Dhoni's greenkeeping gloves had a dagger logo embossed, which looked more like an Army insignia.

"The BCCI had already sent a formal request to the ICC for clearance. As per ICC regulations, players can't sport any commercial, religious or military logo. There was nothing commercial or religious in this regard as we all know," Rai told PTI over the phone.

"And it is not the paramilitary regimental dagger that is embossed in his gloves. So Dhoni is not in breach of ICC regulations," he added.

IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla also spoke on the decision of ICC asking BCCI to get Indian Army symbol removed from Dhoni's gloves.

He said, "It's not a commercial, not religious. Its only pride and I don't think ICC should have any problem. BCCI should talk to ICC and ICC should re-think again. It's Dhoni's passion and COA will definitely take this matter because in this case no rules are broken of ICC."

Dhoni is an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army and dagger is part of their emblem.

The insignia sported by MS Dhoni on his gloves is called the 'Balidaan' badge or patch. Personnel who serve in the Para Special Forces are allowed to wear the "Balidaan" (Sacrifice) patch.

This is not the first time MS Dhoni has been seen wearing the 'Balidaan' insignia. He was seen wearing a cap with same logo with during IPL. His mobile cover also has the logo.

According to ICC sources, If MS Dhoni and BCCI convince ICC that the "balidan badge" does not have any political, religious, or racial message, ICC may consider the request.

From Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said, "Govt doesn't intervene in affairs of sports bodies, they are autonomous. But when an issue is related to the country's sentiments, then the interest of the nation has to be kept in mind. I would like to request BCCI to take up the matter with ICC. #Dhoni".

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju: Govt doesn't intervene in affairs of sports bodies,they are autonomous. But when issue is related to country's sentiments,then interest of the nation has to be kept in mind. I would like to request BCCI to take up the matter with ICC. #Dhoni pic.twitter.com/AqFfCrTOqe

— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2019

Lt General (Retd) Vinod Bhatia, ex-DGMO in whose presence MS Dhoni was commissioned into Parachute Regiment of Territorial Army: "What MS Dhoni has done by supporting 'Balidaan' on his gloves,is being blown about of proportion. There's nothing political/religious/commercial about it.

He also added saying: "There are many instances of sportspersons, cricketers or Pak team themselves, in 2016 when they played at Lord's, they dedicated it to Pak Army. When Dhoni wears a badge, Pak has a problem, some of us within India have a problem, ICC has a problem."

The ICC has received BCCI request and will be taken up by ICC's Cricket committee operations team which will consult with the Event Technical committee headed by Geoff Allardyce.

Now BCCI will need to prove how the dagger insignia is not military symbolism. If the event technical committee is convinced only then Dhoni can wear his gloves in future matches.

ICC likely to refer the matter to a technical committee comprising Dave Richardson, Sangakkara, Steve Elworthy, etc.

BCCI COA Vinod Rai lays out BCCI's final stance on Dhoni's gloves: 

According to Rai, the insignia is "neither political, nor commercial, nor military". "And it is not the paramilitary regimental dagger that is embossed on his gloves," he said.

"I am told ICC has specific rules pertaining to the logos on the gloves of the wicketkeeper. If there is rule as specific as that we will 100% conform to the ICC rules. We don't propose to escalate this non-issue," he added.