#DhoniKeepTheGlove: Indians Call for World Cup Boycott After ICC Asks MS to Remove Army Insignia Gloves

ICC's intervention and request to have Dhoni's army insignia removed from his gloves has been met with disapproval from Indian cricket fans.

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.

The 'Balidaan' badge or patch can be worn by personnel who served in the Para Special Forces, and Dhoni had undergone a two-week initial training with the para regiment.

The visuals of Dhoni's tribute to the army forces earned him respect and love from the fellow Indians and tweets praising the former Indian skipper were aplenty on the microblogging site.

.@msdhoni paid tribute to the Indian Para Special Forces during the #CWC19 encounter against South Africa 💙#EkCupAur #SAvIND #CricketWorldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/Q8e6BceB2P

— CricketNext (@cricketnext) June 5, 2019

However, the governing body of cricket - International Cricket Council (ICC) now wants the symbol removed from Dhoni's gloves and has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to get the job done.

Citing the ICC's Clothing and Equipment Rules and Regulations under G 1 which states:

"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 regulation says.

ICC's intervention and request to have Dhoni's army insignia removed was met with disapproval from Twitterati back home and they expressed their displeasure to the news by showing support to the 37-year-old Indian cricketer.

"The nation stands with you," was the common sentiment among the fans, who rooted for Dhoni and requested him to keep the badge of honour.

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

Don't do this @ICCOur national hero and symbol of Indian force#DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/JID1xzkXBN

— Asutosh (@asutosh007) June 6, 2019

The nation stands with you #DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/SYh25Eg4PJ

— Sash (@Sash76273512) June 6, 2019

Dear Lt Col @msdhoni You are an officer of Para Regt. Don’t take off those gloves. Balidaan is a badge of honour. It’s represents the finest of Indian Army. I have always looked at that badge with awe & respect. The nation stands with you. Jai Hind#dhonikeeptheglove

— Narender sharma (@Narendersharma) June 7, 2019

Once you have taken the decision to put that badge of national pride on your gloves, you do not take them off: Maj. Gaurav Arya (Retd.)#DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/iZ9FvTNivm

— Vikas Agrawal (@VikasAgarwalBJP) June 6, 2019

You can remove the army things from Dhoni's pad, cap, bat or Jersey..But you can't remove Lt Colonel MS DHONI's love for the NATION from his heart. 🇮🇳❤️#DhoniKeepTheGlove pic.twitter.com/PgW2OBq9Ht

— DHONIsm™ ❤️ (@DHONIism) June 7, 2019

The umpiring that has come under the scanner during Australia's win over West Indies on Thursday found a mention in the Twitter outrage.

#DhoniKeepTheGlovePriorities!! ICC on low ICC ICC on Dhoni'sLevel umpiring Balidan batch on in matches His Gloves pic.twitter.com/lXbOr74c3b

— 🌺Aparna👒 (@Jayaa_IND) June 6, 2019

While many others called for an ICC Cricket World Cup boycott if ICC's request wasn't withdrawn and the cricket body succeeded in its endeavour to get Dhoni's tribute gloves removed.

Shame ICC can't we take our symbols which already in heart on body too..do u want indians to. boycott worldcup..imagine than who loss this worldcup 😉#DhoniKeepTheGlove

— _theSarcasticdesh_joshi (@SudeshJoshi13) June 6, 2019

#DhoniKeepTheGlove Don't worry dhoni sir keep it up we are with you,If need then we can boycott ICC other matches,Salute you sir.

— subhash sharma (@S23skS) June 7, 2019

Dear @BCCI if the @ICC Forcing to remove balidan from dhoni ji gloves, it's better to boycott the tournament and come to India we will play another IPL seriesWe don't want this tournament. We love our country pride more than a tournament.#boycottworldcup #DhoniKeepTheGlove

— Hari Tej🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@ITej4MIndia) June 7, 2019

Indian viewers should boycott watching these WC games altogether, if Dhoni is not allowed to wear his gloves in the next game.Also ENG should be asked to get rid of the '3 lions' symbol on their shirt which signifies sacrifice of the armed forces. @ICC @BCCI #DhoniKeepTheGlove

— QueenBee (@artemis_ari) June 7, 2019

Boycott #WorldCup2019 if @BCCI doesn't stand with @msdhoni , which is actually standing by the pride of our armed forces. @ICC must take back it's decision. #DhoniKeepTheGlove

— Ranjit (@ranjitpk123) June 7, 2019

NATION FIRST SO DHONI KEEP THE GLOVE 80% OF REVENUE OF ICCC IS FROM INDIA BOYCOTT ICC @msdhoni #DhoniKeepTheGlove

— SUSHANT KUMAR SINHA (@sushantkr_sinha) June 7, 2019

Every Indian worth his salt should support Dhoni by boycott of @cricketworldcup and @BCCI #DhoniKeepTheGlove

— Sunil Dutt (@sunilduna) June 6, 2019

Urge all Indians, Indian companies to boycott @ICC @cricketworldcup #CWC2019 if the request for @msdhoni glove is not withdrawn. @ICC enough of ur nonsense. @msdhoni #DhoniKeepTheGlove

— Raivat Shah (@RaivatShah) June 7, 2019

#dhonikeeptheglove @msdhoni Please do not remove the gloves. We will boycott WC2019 if they force you to remove gloves. Jai Hind

— Shekhar Solanki (@sheksol) June 6, 2019