Twitter praises MS Dhoni after he dons gloves with ‘Balidaan Badge’ of the armed forces’ fame

Former India captain MS Dhoni’s admiration for the armed forces is something not unknown. The 37-year-old wicket-keeper-batsman also holds an honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the Indian Territorial Army. In March, he came up with the idea of the Indian cricketers wearing the camouflaged caps of the Indian Army during an ODI against Australia in his hometown Ranchi. On that occasion, the gesture was made to pay tributes to the martyrs of the Pulwama terror attack in February.

On Wednesday, as India took on South Africa in their opening game of ICC World Cup 2019 in Southampton, Dhoni’s love for the armed forces was once again on display. The ace cricketer, who is playing in his fourth and final World Cup, donned gloves that bore the sign of the regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces.

The ‘Balidaan Badge’ was spotted on Dhoni’s gloves when he stumped South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo off the bowling of wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. It did not take much time for pictures of Dhoni’s gloves from going viral on social media. Respect came pouring in from various quarters for the man who won India their second World Cup in ODIs in 2011.

The symbol that Dhoni’s gloves bore, however, is sported only by paramilitary commandos and it signifies the validation of the slogan ‘Who Dares Wins’. The symbol has a commando dagger that points upwards with wings extending from the blade and a ‘Balidaan’ badge inscribed in Devanagiri.

ICC requests BCCI to get the gloves removed

However, Dhoni’s move did not go down well with the International Cricket Council (ICC) which has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ask the veteran wicket-keeper to remove the gloves. The ICC’s regulations do not allow “display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match. We have requested the BCCI to get it removed” Timesnownews.com cited reports as quoting the ICC’s general manager, strategic communications.

Also during the Indian Premier League this year, Dhoni donated Rs 2 crore on behalf of his franchise Chennai Super Kings to the armed forces in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack.

Meanwhile, Dhoni also came up with a key 34 ball off 46 balls against the Proteas in the game to add 74 crucial runs with Rohit Sharma (122 not out) to secure a six-wicket victory.

Here are some of the reactions the fan came up after Dhoni donned the special gloves in the game against South Africa:

Dear ICC Keeping the Balidaan badge in Wicket-keeping gloves is not wrong. It’s the symbol of patriotism. He is playing for his nation and he have all rights to do this. Please stop forcing him to remove it. @msdhoni @ICC @BCCI #DhoniKeepTheGlove @adgpi @IAF_MCC @indiannavy

— Aman Trivedi (@trivediaman15) 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 u
Jai Hind
Major Gaurav Arya (Retd)@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/iFsv4iMane

— ???? ❇️Shalini✨????Shalu????️????️????️???? (@MersalShalini14) June 6, 2019

Dear members of @BCCI ignore #icc.This badge represents the speciality of @adgpi don’t remove it from @msdhoni gloves.
Jai hind pic.twitter.com/wYWwjU8XB1

— Divyanshu Singh (@i_sisodiya07) June 6, 2019

@ICC R U guys stupid to remove the Balidan(sacrifice) badge of MS Dhoni on his gloves. We know @ICC rules and it does not break it. Don’t try to break the spirit of the players .

— Roy williams (@Roywill12378608) June 6, 2019

Dear @msdhoni I want you to use that gloves throughout the tournament and please regularly flaunt it on the camera ???????? #Balidanparamdharma #DhoniKeepTheGlove

— Kittu (@Kittu41140942) June 6, 2019

@ICC @msdhoni@BCCI to remove Army insignia from gloves.
You earned it by your hardwork. Now don’t put this #Badge off.This is our country’s pride.
Removing this will be an insult of your Regiment, Our country, Our Army and Our Pride #DhoniKeepTheGlove

— Rahul Kaushik (@ItsRahulKaushik) June 6, 2019

@ICC may we know as to why @msdhoni should remove that logo from his gloves ? Dont you have better things to worry about like improving the umpiring standards in todays game. #msdhoni #ICCWC2019

— NITAN CHANDEL (@Nitanchandel) June 6, 2019

#MSDhoni Keep on the gloves. @BCCI should tell they will withdraw from all @ICC tournaments if they ask removal of Army symbol in respect of our braves.

— Chandrashekhar (@Chandra46) June 6, 2019

ICC has requested BCCI 2 ask MS Dhoni 2 remove Army insignia frm gloves.
Dear Lt Col @msdhoni U R an officer of Para Regt. Don’t take off those gloves. Balidaan is a badge of honour.We have always looked at that badge with respect.
We all Indians are proud of you.
Jai Hind???????? pic.twitter.com/JxiFzhDCGY

— Chowkidar Mahantesh Vakkund (@MahantVakkund) June 6, 2019