World Cup 2019: ICC denies Dhoni permission to wear ‘Balidaan’ badge; issues statement

By Team MyNation  |  First Published Jun 7, 2019, 10:46 PM IST

'The ICC has responded to the BCCI to confirm the logo displayed by MS Dhoni in the previous match is not permitted to be worn on his wicket-keeping gloves at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019,' the ICC said

London: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday (June 7) denied India's wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni permission to sport the “Balidaan” badge at the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019.

Dhoni's gloves had the "Balidaan" badge of the Indian Para Special Forces during the India-South Africa match in Southampton on June 5. The pictures were widely shared on social media and fans had heaped praise on the former skipper.

Also read: World Cup 2019 format, rain rules, Super Over and other playing conditions

However, ICC had requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ask Dhoni to remove the insignia from his gloves for the rest of the 10-team tournament as it was in violation of the ICC regulations on clothing and equipment.

"We have requested the BCCI to get it removed," Claire Furlong, ICC general manager, strategic communications, was quoted as saying in the media.

In India, there was huge controversy over the ICC’s request to BCCI. While fans and several celebrities backed Dhoni to continue using the “Balidaan” badge, now the ICC has made it official that the Indian team’s players should follow the regulations.

Also read: Full schedule of India matches at World Cup with start times, live TV, streaming info

BCCI’s Committee of Administrators (COA) chairman Vinod Rai too had supported Dhoni in this issue.

“The ICC has responded to the BCCI to confirm the logo displayed by MS Dhoni in the previous match is not permitted to be worn on his wicket-keeping gloves at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019,” the ICC said in a statement on Friday night.

“The regulations for ICC events do not permit any individual message or logo to be displayed on any items of clothing or equipment. In addition to this, the logo also breaches the regulations in relation to what is permitted on wicketkeeper gloves,” it added.

India next face Australia at The Oval in London on Sunday (June 9).

As per ICC regulations, “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. The ICC shall have the final say in determining whether any such message is approved. For the avoidance of doubt, where a message is approved by the player or team official’s Board but subsequently disapproved by the ICC’s Cricket Operations Department, the player or team official shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey such message in International Matches."

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