Hashtag #DhoniKeepTheGlove became the top trending topic on Indian Twitter on Friday after cricket fans lashed out at the International Cricket Council (ICC) for requesting BCCI to have Dhoni's army insignia removed from his gloves.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011 and had undergone basic training under the Para Brigade in 2015, showed his love for the Army during India's maiden clash against South Africa on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old cricketer was spotted with regimental dagger - Army Insignia or 'Balidaan' badge - of the Indian Para Special Forces on his wicket-keeping gloves while he stumped Phehlukwayo in the 40th over of the innings bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal.
Sorry #ICC. I stand with Ms Dhoni. This Balidan symbol is nothing to do with cricket game.. #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/QnetFoWERG
— Tweetera (@DoctorrSays) June 6, 2019
The nation stands with you #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/SYh25Eg4PJ
— Sash (@Sash76273512) June 6, 2019
The Internet outrage was enough for Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to step in almost immediately and back the former Indian skipper in his decision to sport the army badge.
In fact, the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) chairman Vinod Rai said on Friday that he would request and apply for formal permission from the ICC to allow Dhoni to have his 'Balidaan' tribute intact. Rai said the insignia on the glove was ‘neither religious nor commercial’ in nature and not even an ‘insignia of his regiment’, and that BCCI stands behind Dhoni in the matter.
However, this did not stop cricket fans in India from criticising and having a go at the ICC. Several users on Twitter reminded the cricket body of the ordinary umpiring that was at display during Australia's clash against West Indies.
One particular incident from the aforementioned match that specifically got the mention on the microblogging site was Chris Gayle's dismissal during Thursday's contest.
The mighty West Indies hitter was given out twice by the on-field umpire but Gayle kept successfully overturning the decisions against him by using Decision Review System (DRS) appeals, before finally succumbing when his third DRS appeal was unsuccessful.
His dismissal came in the 5th over at the hands of Stark, when the Aussie struck him on the pads. After much deliberation, Gayle went upstairs and DRS came into play, yet again.
This time, however, Gayle was genuinely out as the review showed the ball was clipping leg stump. Or was he?
The ball before the one that got him out was a massive no ball that the on-field umpire failed to catch. Simply meaning that the ball he was adjudged LBW on would have been a free-hit.
The ball before Gayle got out, it was a huge no ball , wasn’t called. The ball Gayle got out should have been a free hit. pic.twitter.com/OtJ4ugtKto
— Ghatta (@Kattehaiklu) June 6, 2019
Indian fans pointed out the blunders made by on-field officials Gaffaney and Ruchira Palliyaguruge during the match on Twitter and suggested the ICC move on from Dhoni's "harmless" gloves and instead "focus" on the umpiring quality that wasn't on par with international standards one would expect at the Cricket World Cup.
#DhoniKeepTheGlovePriortiestICC on low ICC on Dhoni's Level umpiring Balidan batch pic.twitter.com/OtXkLbI7kw
— Akashbabbar (@Akashbabbar321) June 6, 2019
#ICC should focus on quality umpiring rather than direct MS Dhoni to remove his Army insignia on his gloves. Pathetic umpiring cost WI the match against Australia.#DhoniKeeptheGlove#UmpiringHowlers #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/Udy0cY7LtL
— Pavan (@pav_sri) June 7, 2019
Its time for ICC to focus on improving umpire standard in World Cup instead of Dhoni gloves...#DhoniKeepTheGlove #CWC19
— Viswa (@urs2rulyviswa) June 7, 2019
Dear @ICC, Instead of focussing on MS Dhoni's gloves better focus on improving the quality of umpires.4 decisions overturned so far in today's game + a huge No Ball miss that costed Chris Gayle's wicket. We have better umpires in our gully cricket. #DhoniKeepTheGlove #CWC19 https://t.co/EqeYYYDLUt pic.twitter.com/YTjB5ThcNK
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) June 6, 2019
PIC1: Umpire couldn't see Aussie's quicky over stepping and given out.Pic2: Umpire can see Lt. Col@msdhoni wearing @IndINDIANARMY's #BalidaanBadge to honour martyrs sacrifices to nation.Pls joint this movement. #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/ZnLgGNkhY7
— saurabh swami (@saurabhswami20) June 7, 2019
Dear icc there are more important issues than this please look at umpire standard first #DhoniKeepTheGlove
— Udit Vyas (@udit_vyas) June 7, 2019
ICC saw the symbol on the gloves.But, who will see this? Lol, umpire got away with such huge mistake which cost WI their match. Why there is no penalty on umpire for this? #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/KaPGZxYPnN
— Bharat paudel (@sircastic_keeda) June 7, 2019
Always stand with thalaRespect increases mahi @msdhoni @ICC frst improve your umpire qualities then think about dhonis glove #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/xvjDW0nM08
— Subaraj Dhoni VFC (@SubarajDhoni) June 7, 2019
@ICC you doesn't have a word when a umpire keeps on making error on the field and now giving attention to a silly thing which has no connection with the game of cricket.#DhoniKeepTheGlove because you are doing for good, dont back down we are with you.
— Summit Dubey (@iamsummit1) June 7, 2019
#DhoniKeepTheGlove you @ICC you better to stay away from your rules he is indian player and he deserve to wear that gloves, remember if we boycott you #WC2019 who will watch it, Go and improve umpire standard first
— Chetan Y Badhe (@chets2121) June 7, 2019
May be umpire will get distracted from symbol and don't see NO BALL ICC whats your Problem. #DhoniKeepTheGlove
— Ranjit Singh (@ranzysingh) June 7, 2019
Icc not see thisAndBusy to take off to removeglove of Ms dhoni#DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/POmClXJ7IR
— Asutosh (@asutosh007) June 6, 2019