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World Cup 2019: Fans furious after ICC asks MS Dhoni to remove Army crest from gloves

World Cup 2019: Fans furious after ICC asks MS Dhoni to remove Army crest from gloves

Friday, June 7, 2019 IST

A section of Indian fans expressed their disappointment over International Cricket Council's decision to urge the Board of Control for Cricket in India to remove the 'Balidaan Badge' on MS Dhoni's wicketkeeping gloves.

HIGHLIGHTS

• #DhoniKeepTheGlove trends as fans back MS Dhoni to continue sporting Army crest

• MS Dhoni has worn the Army insignia as a symbol of pride: Riteish Deshmukh

• ICC had asked the BCCI to get the symbol removed from MS Dhoni's gloves

The International Cricket Council's (ICC) directive to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to get the Army symbol removed from India wicketkeeper MS Dhoni's gloves has created a huge debate on social media.

MS Dhoni sported a pair of wicketkeeping gloves with regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces during India's World Cup 2019 opener against South Africa at Ageas Bowl in Southampton on June 5.

Images of the "Balidaan Badge" on Dhoni's wicketkeeping gloves went viral on social media with quite a few Indian fans praising the World Cup-winner for his love towards the the Indian Para Special Forces.

Dhoni, an honorary Lieutenant Colonel with the Indian Territorial Army, has been sporting the Balidaan Badge on his gloves and caps for quite some time now.

However, the rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC) clearly state that "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."

The ICC on Thursday, in a statement, said it had asked the BCCI to make sure MS Dhoni removes the Army insignia from his wicketkeeping gloves.

Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Strategic Communications, said that the BCCI has been asked to get the symbol removed from Dhoni's gloves.

"We have requested the BCCI to get it removed," Claire Furlong said.

The directive has certainly not gone down well with Indian fans, who have even urged the BCCI to boycott the World Cup if Dhoni is not allowed to continue wearing the special pair of gloves.

#DhoniKeepTheGlove" has been trending on several social media platforms ever since the ICC directed the BCCI to remove the Army crest.

Indian Army has always been independent irrespective of the political party in power. We are proud of them. Lt. Col. @msdhoni has worn the Army insignia as a symbol of pride. Doesn’t hurt anyone’s sentiments, In fact it honours the brave #DhoniKeepTheGlove #WorldCup2019
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) 7 June 2019

Can wearing territorial army insignia by a Lieutenant Colonel while representing the nation in an international event amount to any violation of rules?@msdhoni #FoodForThought #DhoniKeepTheGlove #BalidaanBadge #IndianTerritorialArmy #AanBaanShaan #WeLoveIndia pic.twitter.com/g5mRga1Xsw
— Vipul Aggarwal IPS (@ipsvipul_) 7 June 2019

Dear all at @ICC ,when you are done with which symbol a legendary cricketer (read MS Dhoni) wears on his glove, pls do take time to check out the standard of umpiring.
The World Cup?Really now!
BTW The 'Balidaan Badge' doesn't disrespect anyone.#DhoniKeepTheGlove #AUSvWI #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/IDTK6ELrC5
— Rahul Dev Official (@RahulDevRising) 6 June 2019

Shame on #ICC......One small symbol of national pride too much for ICC? They asked dhoni to remove the gloves with army badge . Raise your support for MS Dhoni to bear the 'Balidaan Badge' on his gloves by using the hashtag #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/9xExwnidDz
— Umesh Garg (@umeshslg) 6 June 2019

I Stand With MS Dhoni
RT If You To #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/TGrjNJwDRS
— Asutosh (@asutosh007) 6 June 2019

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) 6 June 2019

So the #icc has a rule that any logo or personal message on a player's equipment needs to be approved by ICC. They have defined a process for the player to apply for permission. @msdhoni could have applied for permission to wear the Balidaan insignia. #DhoniKeepTheGlove
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) 6 June 2019

In August 2015 , LT Colonel MS Dhoni completed 5 Jumps and became a qualified paratrooper.#DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/5i4eQvexO8
— DHONIsm™ ❤️ (@DHONIism) 7 June 2019

#DhoniKeepTheGlove
Dhoni is playing for his country and rightly as the honary Lt.Col of his regiment he has the right to express his loyalty Futher the symbol is not representing any commercial organisation. With Dhoni pic.twitter.com/srrTMCOJ3i
— DD (@DeviDatta8) 6 June 2019

Dear ICC .. Balidan means sacrifice - the motto of the Indian Para Special forces. The spirit of sacrifice thats taken a fantastic human being like Dhoni to the top of his game. #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/Kcx3yurxQM
— Ajay yadav (@Ajay89611) 6 June 2019

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry hit out at MS Dhoni for sporting the Balidaan Badge at the World Cup.

"Dhoni is in England to play cricket not to for MahaBharta , what an idiotic debate in Indian Media, a section of Indian media is so obsessed with War they should be sent to Syria, Afghanistan Or Rawanda as mercenaries," Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.