London, June 06: International Criceket Council[ICC] has raised strong objections to Indian cricketer M.S. Dhoni  for supporting Indian para special forces by wearing wicket-keeping gloves on which regimental dagger insignia was printed.
Meanwhile, ICC has requested to the Board of Control for Cricket in India[BCCI] to get the insignia removed from the gloves.
Former skipper of team India M.S. Dhoni was spotted with “Balidaan Badge” or the Army insignia on his green colour gloves in India’s opening match against South Africa in the ongoing cricket World Cup.
Speaking to the IANS, Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Strategic Communications said that BCCI has been asked to get the symbol removed from the gloves. “We have requested to the BCCI to get it removed”, she said.
However, this is not the first time that Dhoni has openly professed his love and respect for the Indian Armed Forces.
The special forces, which form part of the Parachute Regiment, have a distinct insignia called Balidaan, which has a commando dagger pointed downwards, with upward-extending wings extending from the blade and a scroll superimposed on the blade with “Balidaan” inscribed in Devanagari; the whole in silver metal on an upright red plastic rectangle. Only the Para Commandos are allowed to wear the Balidaan Badge
As per the ICC clothing and equipment regulations, “ Do not permit the display of messages that relate to the political, religious or racial activities pr causes during an international matches.
