ICC World Cup 2019: ICC Objects to Army Insignia on MS Dhoni’s gloves; asks to Remove

India have finally started their ICC World Cup 2019 campaign against South Africa where they registered a comfortable win. With this convincing win, a controversy also took place. Former captain MS Dhoni’s love for the security forces is no secret and he was spotted with regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces on his wicket-keeping gloves during India’s World Cup opener in Southampton on Wednesday.

He was spotted with a the ‘Balidan Badge’ when he was stumping Phehlukwayo off Yuzvendra Chahal in the 40th over. However, it took a few seconds to go viral and that made the things worst. International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to remove the symbol from MS Dhoni’s gloves. “We have requested the BCCI to get it removed,” said Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Strategic Communications While speaking to IANS.

‘Balidan’ is a distinct badge of the special forces, which form part of the Parachute Regiment. The badge has a commando dagger pointed towards down, with the wings extending upwards which has a scroll superimposed on the blade and “Balidan” inscribed in Devanagari. Only the Paramilitary Commandos have the permission to wear the Balidan Badge.

MS Dhoni, however, has been granted an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011and in 2015 he took the training under the Para Brigade. But ICC has some other thoughts. 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.”

India, on the other hand, will play their next game against the defending champion Australia on June 9 in Kennington Oval, London.