"The ICC has responded to the BCCI to confirm the logo displayed by MS Dhoni in the previous match is not permitted to be worn on his wicket-keeping gloves at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019," an ICC statement said.
Taking a firm stand, the ICC on Friday denied Mahendra Singh Dhoni permission to wear the dagger insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves during the World Cup despite BCCI's assertion that it was not a military symbol.
The Indian cricket board (BCCI) had sought permission for the star batsman from the world governing body, which eventually cited regulations in denying the permission.
"The ICC has responded to the BCCI to confirm the logo displayed by MS Dhoni in the previous match is not permitted to be worn on his wicket-keeping gloves at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019," an ICC statement said.
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"The regulations for ICC events do not permit any individual message or logo to be displayed on any items of clothing or equipment. In addition to this, the logo also breaches the regulations in relation to what is permitted on wicketkeeper gloves." During India's opening World Cup game against South Africa in Southampton, Dhoni's green keeping gloves had a dagger logo embossed, which looked more like an Army insignia.
The rule-book allows for only one sponsor's logo on the wicket-keeping gloves. In Dhoni's case, he already sports an SG logo on his gloves.
1. Twitter reacts
Hey @BCCI, be firm with your decision and don't bow down in front of @ICC #DhoniKeepTheGlove https://t.co/af3W6kHIR7 pic.twitter.com/97wV1SA1mm
— Aparna (@Jayaa_IND) June 7, 2019
If Dhoni wears the insignia on his glove, Pakistani team will come to the field like this on 16th June pic.twitter.com/yxLJlXyrdA
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) June 7, 2019
Unpopular opinion: I think ICC is right. https://t.co/1P41t3mT34
— Swarnav Sarma (@XormaDangoriya) June 7, 2019
Yes Yes .. @ICC is correct.@msdhoni Gloves are against the rules.@BCCI give some respect to ICC. #DhoniRemoveTheGloves #ICCWC2019 https://t.co/6wZmXf0kXO
— Suresh Venkata (@sureshvenkata7) June 7, 2019
Please follow your hearts and boycott the event and while you are at it, give up the hosting rights to 2023 World Cup. No one is going to miss India anyway. https://t.co/pM5KrmSKCt
— Saad (@saad_durrani) June 7, 2019
ICC not allowing Dhoni to wear gloves with Balidan logo is absurd but what's more absurd is Indians asking BCCI to boycott the World Cup? like seriously? https://t.co/ZPrSW706RW
— siddhant. (@ignoreandfly) June 7, 2019
ICC has achieved independence from BCCI https://t.co/fv4zmSPf8N
— P₹akash $inha (@Predicto_Praky) June 7, 2019
Will bw intresting to see how @BCCI respond to this reply. https://t.co/PWMzyKm1YC
— Rajjat Karekar (@rajjatkarekar) June 7, 2019
Hell with ICC now.
— Chowkidar Nirav Modi (@niiravmodi) June 7, 2019
Indian team should take a next available flight rn to india.
BCCI please organise a world cup in Bhutan from Sunday with BIMSTEC and SAARC countries.
Take Uganda and Honululu too.
BCCI show them we are superpower.
Hey @ICC pic.twitter.com/YFJfnQKfhP
— TushAr~KrAnti (@ManOfPhenomena) June 7, 2019
India should Boycott world cup imo
— Barca URDU (@URDUbarca) June 7, 2019
This is a disrespect to their Martyers, Modi should call their players back ASAP, World cup isn't bigger than pride https://t.co/d1UFBSmWg2
2. Dhoni is an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel
Dhoni is an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army and dagger is part of their emblem.
Committee of Administrator (CoA) chief Vinod Rai had argued that wearing the dagger insignia does not breach any rule.
"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. And it is not the paramilitary regimental dagger that is embossed in his gloves. So Dhoni is not in breach of ICC regulations," Rai said.
3. ICC requests BCCI
Rai's comment came after the ICC "requested the BCCI" to ask Dhoni to remove the sign from the gloves, citing rules which forbid display of messages "which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes." The CoA's defence was based on the fact that the para-regimental dagger logo has word 'Balidan' (sacrifice) inscribed on it, which is not the case with the logo sported by Dhoni.
Dhoni also got support from Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, who had urged the BCCI to resolve the matter.
"... the issue is connected with the sentiments of the country, the interest of the nation has to be kept in mind. I urge the BCCI to? take a fair step in the Mahendra Singh Dhoni? case," Rijiju wrote on his twitter handle.
Various sportspersons such as Suresh Raina and decorated wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt also backed the former captain.