Request Dhoni to remove Army insignia from gloves: ICC to BCCI

New Delhi, June 6

India’s opening game in the ongoing World Cup saw former skipper MS Dhoni once again profess his love for the security forces after he was spotted with a regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces on his wicketkeeping gloves. 

But the ICC has asked the BCCI to get the symbol removed from Dhoni’s gloves. Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Strategic Communications, said BCCI has been asked to get the symbol removed from Dhoni’s gloves. “We have requested BCCI to get it removed,” she said.

The “Balidaan” badge or the Army insignia was spotted on Dhoni’s during the match against South Africa yesterday. Balidaan is a distinct insignia of the special forces, and it is part of the parachute regiment. It has a commando dagger pointing downward, with upward-extending wings extending from the blade and a scroll superimposed on the blade with “Balidaan” inscribed in Devanagari. Only paramilitary commandos are allowed to wear the Badge. Dhoni, who has been conferred with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the parachute regiment in 2011, had also undergone training under the para brigade in 2015. The ICC regulations says: “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.” — Agencies