Taking to Twitter, the BJP MP wrote: “My unasked for advice to Dhoni: You lose nothing by agreeing to ICC Rules no matter how intrusive it is. Terminate the controversy which nothing to with your awe inspiring cricket. Anti Indian forces would like this controversy to grow.”
Even as the world and its uncle lost its cool over Captain Cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s ‘balidaan’ gloves, BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy had some ‘unasked advice’ for Mahi.
Taking to Twitter, the BJP MP wrote: “My unasked for advice to Dhoni: You lose nothing by agreeing to ICC Rules no matter how intrusive it is. Terminate the controversy which nothing to with your awe inspiring cricket. Anti Indian forces would like this controversy to grow.”
Read: Rijiju asks BCCI to intervene
My unasked for advice to Dhoni: You lose nothing by agreeing to ICC Rules no matter how intrusive it is. Terminate the controversy which nothing to with your awe inspiring cricket. Anti Indian forces would like this controversy to grow
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) June 7, 2019
1. What ICC said
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Cricket's governing body, ICC, on Friday said that if M S Dhoni and Board of Control for Cricket in India (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," said an ICC source.
Dhoni was seen donning a regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces on his wicketkeeping gloves during India's World Cup 2019 opening match being played against South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday.
Pic Source: PTI
2. ICC requests BCCI to remove
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Following this, the ICC had requested BCCI to remove the badge from Dhoni's gloves.
"We have requested the BCCI to get it removed," said Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Strategic Communications, after India's first clash in the World Cup.
Only Paramilitary Commandos are allowed to wear the Balidaan Badge. Dhoni, who has been conferred an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011, had also undergone training under the Para Brigade in 2015.
Pic Source: AFP
3. COA weighs in
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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 green keeping 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 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.
His statement comes 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." Dhoni is an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army and dagger is part of their emblem.
Pic Source: AFP
