The International Cricket Council (ICC) has refused to give the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) permission to allow MS Dhoni to sport the dagger insignia on his wicketkeeping gloves.

Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai had thrown his weight behind Dhoni on Friday after he wore gloves containing the dagger insignia bearing the term 'Balidaan' (sacrifice) during India's opening World Cup game against South Africa. Rai said there was nothing in the logo that was against the ICC's rules.

"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," Rai had said of the Dhoni logo.

However, the global cricket governing body turned down the BCCI's request, barely a few hours after it was made.

"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," the ICC said in a statement.

Earlier, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju had backed Dhoni. "But when the issue is connected with the sentiments of the country, the interest of the nation has to be kept in mind. I urge the BCCI to take a fair step in the Mahendra Singh Dhoni case," he tweeted.