It doesn’t hurt anyone’s sentiments: Actor Ritesh Deshmukh on MS Dhoni sporting Balidaan Badge

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come down hard on MS Dhoni after his wicket-keeping gloves were seen sporting an insignia which looked similar to Indian paramilitary forces Balidaan emblem badge. ICC has asked the Indian cricket board (BCCI) to tell Dhoni to remove the insignia as it goes against the rules set by the cricketing body.

The insignia was first spotted during India’s first encounter in the tournament against South Africa on June 5 in Southampton as television replays showed him stumping Phehlukwayo off Yuzvendra Chahal in the 40th over of the innings. Dhoni found support from many eminent personalities in the country, who all asked him to keep the insignia on the glove, including Bollywood actors.

Actor Ritesh Deshmukh asks Lt. Col Dhoni to keep the emblem on his gloves

Actor Ritesh Deshmukh, who is the son of former Maharashtra CM, late Vilasrao Deshmukh, has come forward and said that the whole country is proud of the Indian army and its units and they are independent of politics, therefore MS Dhoni should continue to wear the insignia on his gloves and not give in to the demands of ICC.

It has to be mentioned here that MS Dhoni was conferred an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011, had also undergone training under the Para Brigade in 2015. The ICC rules in this matter state: “The ICC equipment and clothing regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match.”

Ritesh Deshmukh took to Twitter and posted, “Indian Army has always been independent irrespective of the political party in power. We are proud of them. Lt. Col. @msdhoni has worn the Army insignia as a symbol of pride. Doesn’t hurt anyone’s sentiments, In fact, it honors the brave #DhoniKeepTheGlove #WorldCup2019”

Dhoni also got support from CoA Chief Vinod Rai, who has mentioned that the BCCI had already sent a formal request to the ICC to seek permission for Dhoni to continue wearing the gloves with army emblem, saying that as far as rules are concerned, there was nothing commercial or religious in this regard as the board knows.

India defeated South Africa in their opening match in the tournament and will face Australia, defending champions at The Oval in London on June 9, 2019.