World Cup 2019 | ICC asks MS Dhoni to remove army insignia from his gloves

MS  Dhoni’s love and passion for the Indian para-military forces is known to everyone. The former Indian skipper again went on to show his respect towards the para forces by sporting a “Balidan” badge on his wicket-keeping gloves during India’s World Cup opener against South Africa. Meanwhile, ICC has taken note on this matter and has objected to it. The global body has also requested the Indian board to remove the army insignia from Dhoni’s gloves.

"We have requested the BCCI to get it removed," ICC General Manager, Strategic Communications Claire Furlong told IANS. 

“Balidan” badge is a regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces that also forms a part of the Parachute Regiment. Dhoni was conferred an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011. The Ranchi-born cricketer had also trained under the Para Brigade in 2015. Many Indians took to the social media to express their delight with Dhoni showing respect towards the Indian forces while Pakistan's Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry hit out at the Indian media for debating on Dhoni sporting army insignia.

"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.

According to the ICC regulation, "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."