MS Dhoni's gloves had caused a lot of controversy over the use an Indian Army insignia.
MS Dhoni 'did not keep the glove'.
After days of controversy and social media outrage, it seems MS Dhoni and Team India decided to comply with ICC's directive towards the sporting the 'Balidaan' insignia on his wicketkeeping gloves. The former Indian captain was seen wearing a new pair of gloves on Sunday against Australia at The Oval. ICC had asked Dhoni not to sport the Indian Army emblem on his gloves. He was seen wearing the gloves during India vs South Africa match.
1. MS Dhoni sports new gloves
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MS Dhoni was seen wearing a fresh pair of green gloves without the dagger emblem on Sunday. According to reports, Dhoni had also stepped into the ground for warm-up drills before the toss with the same type of gloves. (Image: AFP)
2. ICC had rejected BCCI's request to let Dhoni wear the gloves
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ICC turned down BCCI's request to allow MS Dhoni to continue wearing the army insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves. While turning down BCCI's request to allow Dhoni to sport the 'Balidan badge', ICC had said in a statement, "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." 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.
The ICC had said that if Dhoni and BCCI manage to convince them that the 'Balidan badge' does not have any political, religious or racial message, it may consider allowing him to continue wearing it on his gloves. "If MS Dhoni and BCCI convince us that the 'Balidan Badge' does not have any political, religious or racial message, ICC may consider the request," an ICC source had said.
3. Dhoni had support from BCCI, Indian Govt
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BCCI's 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.
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.
4. MS Dhoni wore the gloves during India's World Cup opener
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The veteran wicket-keeper batsman was seen wearing the glove during India's first World Cup match against South Africa on June 5. The glove containing the Army insignia gained attention after Dhoni was seen sporting it while stumping Andile Phehlukwayo. The regimental dagger is the insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces. Taking cognisance, the ICC had on Thursday asked BCCI to get the insignia of one of the Indian Army units removed from Dhoni's wicket-keeping gloves. 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.
5. When fans said #DhoniKeepTheGlove
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MS Dhoni is an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army and dagger is part of their emblem. After ICC the 'Balidaan' insignia to be removed from his glove, many fans have come out in support and asked the former Indian captain to keep wearing gloves with Army insignia.
There were many who are even ready for a boycott of World Cup, if Dhoni is not allowed to wear these gloves. Various sportspersons such as Suresh Raina and decorated wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt also backed the former captain. In a recent Twitter poll by DNA India, that got over 40,000 votes, 36% voters felt that India should take a firm stand and withdraw from the World Cup. Meanwhile, 48% said India shouldn't withdraw and 16% said they didn't care.
