When MS Dhoni stepped on the field for India’s first World Cup match of this edition, he had an army insignia on his gloves. The former captain was sporting the ‘Balidaan’ badge of the Indian Para Special Forces as he holds the title of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regimen, .
This earned Dhoni a lot of love from his fans back home, who appreciated his respect for the forces.
This man @msdhoni has earned so much respect from all over d world surely not without a reason
— Dr.pooja chakraborty (@Drpoojachakrab3) June 5, 2019
He deserves every bit of it infact much more
However, calling it against the rules, the ICC asked BCCI to get the symbol removed from Dhoni’s gloves as it is against the dress code.
For reference, the ICC’s Clothing and Equipment Rules and Regulations under G 1 says:
Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey messages through arm bands or other items affixed to clothing or equipment (“Personal Messages”) unless approved in advance by both the player or team official’s Board and the ICC Cricket Operations Department. Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes.
MS has a mobile case with Balidan. Also during IPL he was wearing cap with Balidan. His love and respect for Para SF is above all. #Balidan #ParaSF pic.twitter.com/f2C01jnvUB
— Prabhu (@Cricprabhu) June 5, 2019
While the BCCI’s stand on the matter is not known as of now, Dhoni’s fans, including some big names, are standing by his side and asking him to #KeepTheGlove.
#DhoniKeepTheGlove ICC can focus on umpiring rather than Dhoni s gloves.. it’s nothing wrong wearing the balidaan batch..
— Naveen Kumar B (@NaveenKumar4459) June 7, 2019
#DhoniKeepTheGlove ICC must release the minutes of the meeting in DETAIL. Cricket Fans in India deserve to know what eachmember said what and the reasoning.Time ICC evolves. BE TRANSPARENT PLEASE
— Ganesh Pai (@gpai54) June 7, 2019
#DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/VMblp4feaX
— mouly mohan (@mouly_mohan) June 7, 2019
Dear icc there are more important issues than this please look at it first #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/m5CQOzm3oB
— Satyam Gandhi (@SatyamGandhi13) June 6, 2019
We love our Army, We love our Mahi…#DhoniKeepTheGlove
— Prisoner_of_Azkaban (@DogStar_Black) June 7, 2019
@nikhil_daware Nice suggestion but
— Sandeep Chaudhary (@sandyhimachal) June 7, 2019
Then You should not carry your Name & Surname as well just stick to the rule that all Human are same then why do we need names and surnames !!#JustSaying #DhoniKeepTheGlove
A absolutely bizarre decision by ICC to even ask Dhoni to take off the Balidaan Badge glove… A man professing his love and admiration for the national army…. How does that disturb ICC..??#DhoniKeepTheGlove #DhoniAtCWC19
— Priyank saw Endgame (@DahakePriyank) June 7, 2019
Please keep the army symbol glove it is pride and honor we arw with you m.s. #DhoniKeepTheGlove
— Ankit Joshi (@beingankitjoshi) June 7, 2019
If you can’t beat them & you’re hell scared, blame their gloves #DhoniKeepTheGlove
— umesh (@ukadam13) June 7, 2019
Nothing wrong if Dhoni wants a Balidaan badge as a tribute to Indian Army. @ICC itself defended @BCCI when they wore Indian Army Camo Caps as a tribute to Pulwama martyrs. #DhoniKeepTheGlove #TeamIndia #WorldCup19
— Susmit Railkar (@Railkar_26) June 7, 2019
Indian Army has always been independent irrespective of the political party in power. We all are proud of them. Lt. Col. @msdhoni has worn the Army insignia as a symbol of pride. Doesn’t hurt anyone’s sentiments, In fact it honours the brave #DhoniKeepTheGlove #WorldCup2019.
— Kapil sankhla (@Kapilsa37595473) June 7, 2019
#DhoniKeepTheGlove @msdhoni We’re proud of you
— Aniruddha Barma (@AniruddhaBarma) June 7, 2019
Indian Army has always been independent irrespective of the political party in power. We are proud of them. Lt. Col. @msdhoni has worn the Army insignia as a symbol of pride. Doesn’t hurt anyone’s sentiments, In fact it honours the brave #DhoniKeepTheGlove #WorldCup2019
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) June 7, 2019
Dear sports minister @KirenRijiju, hope you stand up for @msdhoni and 🇮🇳 #DhoniKeepTheGlove
— Manak Gupta (@manakgupta) June 7, 2019
I salute his love for the nation and soldiers!
— Manjinder S Sirsa (@mssirsa) June 7, 2019
I stand by @msdhoni #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/NDv7eypvkk
MS Dhoni is a Lt. colonel in the Indian Army. Moreover he is a special forces designate. ICC rules states that any form of political, religious & racial statement can’t be made with the playing outfit. The insignia does none of that.#DhoniKeepTheGlove
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) June 7, 2019
However, there are also some people who are supporting ICC’s rule. This includes Baichung Bhutia, who urged Dhoni to ‘respect the sport first keeping aside everything else’:
“A player should go by the rules and regulations. If it’s against that, then Dhoni will have to remove it.
Well he shouldn't done that in the first place. It's a game of cricket let's stick to it rather than catering to some personal agendas.
— Nikhil Daware (@nikhil_daware) June 7, 2019
Dhoni fans once again proving why they are just bunch of hypocrites who don’t know shit about this sport #DhoniKeepTheGlove are you kidding me? 😂😂
— Jignesh (@DribbleOfLeo) June 7, 2019
Just read the tweets of this hashtag