In response to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) intervention to remove the Balidaan badge off former skipper MS Dhoni's gloves, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has written to the supreme cricket body stating that it would stand with Dhoni on the issue.
The wicketkeeper-batsman had sported a regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces on his wicket-keeping gloves.
Earlier, the reports said that the Committee of Administrators (CoA) would meet and take a decision at the BCCI Cricket Centre on June 6, Friday. However, CoA chief Vinod Rai confirmed that they "have already written on this to the ICC".
Reportedly, BCCI had decided that it would stand by Dhoni as the insignia is neither commercial nor religious. Accordingly, the BCCI CEO Rahul Johri will now meet ICC officials in this regard.
The insignia was spotted on Dhoni's gloves in the 40th over of the match against South Africa in the ICC World Cup 2019.
Balidaan is a distinct insignia of the special forces, which form part of the Parachute Regiment. It has a commando dagger pointed downwards, with upward-extending wings extending from the blade and a scroll superimposed on the blade with "Balidaan" inscribed in Devanagari. Only Paramilitary Commandos are allowed to wear the Balidaan Badge.
Dhoni has been conferred an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011 and had also undergone training under the Para Brigade in 2015.
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