MS Dhoni’s decision to wear an Army regiment’s insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves has sparked a massive controversy with the ICC writing to the BCCI to ask the former skipper to remove the logo from his gloves.
However, in the latest development, BCCI’s CoA chief Vinod Rai has said the board has asked the ICC’s permission to let Dhoni continue wearing the same gloves as it is not a military symbol.
“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. And it is not the paramilitary regimental dagger that is embossed in his gloves. So Dhoni is not in breach of ICC regulations.”Vinod Rai to PTI
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."
Rai's fellow CoA member, Diana Edulji also backed Dhoni.
“This is not an issue at all. We have not spoken to the team but we will back him (Dhoni) to the hilt, any Indian player for that matter.”Diana Edulji, CoA
"Dhoni is not a controversial person, let us be very clear on that. I don't see any issue. They did in the past also (on giving permission for wearing caps). Hopefully things should be sorted out before the the game," Edulji added.
ICC to Discuss Matter
It is learnt that following the BCCI's request, the ICC's Cricket Operations team will discuss the matter with the World Cup's Event Technical committee, both headed by Geoff Allardyce.
The BCCI will be required to prove that the dagger insignia is not military symbolism and if the event technical committee is convinced, Dhoni would be allowed to continue sporting it.
Dhoni is an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army and dagger is part of their emblem.
The CoA chief's defence is based on the fact that the para-regimental dagger logo has word 'Balidan' (sacrifice) inscribed on it, which is not the case with the logo sported by Dhoni.
The argument, however, may not cut much ice with the ICC if it strictly goes by rules.
The CoA's intervention comes after social media criticism of the ICC's objections.
When asked how India would respond in case the ICC insists on the removal of the sign and sanctions Dhoni for defiance, Rai said, "I think there has been a request to get it removed and not an instruction.
"As far as we are concerned, the BCCI CEO (Rahul Johri) will be reaching there before the Australia game and will be speaking to the senior ICC officials.
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