MS Dhoni within his rights to wear the regimental badge of honor, says Retired Major GD Bakshi

Yesterday, India played its first match of the World Cup against South Africa at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. To the Men in Blue’s delight, they won by six wickets to start their campaign on a happy note. Rohit Sharma was the Player of the Match for his unbeaten century while chasing 228. However, the match turned out to be on the controversial side for Indian wicket-keeper MS Dhoni.

The keeping gloves that he donned grabbed the limelight. The same was spotted after the 37-year-old effected a stumping to get rid of Andile Phehlukwayo, who was threatening to take the match away from Virat Kohli and Co. Dhoni’s gloves had the symbol of the Regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces and the picture of which went viral on the social media platforms.

Even as the move was appreciated by many, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to get the symbol removed from Dhoni’s gloves. Claire Furlong, the ICC General Manager, strategic communications, informed about the same. “We have requested the BCCI to get it removed,” the GM of the apex cricket board was quoted as saying.

Support for MS Dhoni

In the meantime, Maj Gen (Retd) GD Bakshi, who was a part of the 1971 Indo-Pak War and Kargil War, said that Dhoni did no wrong in wearing it. Moreover, he reckons that no one can ask him to take the symbol off. “Dhoni is full within his rights to wear his regimental badge of honor. No one can ask him to take off his regimental insignia,” Defence Analyst Bakshi, was quoted as saying in Times Now.

Dhoni is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011 and it wasn’t the first time when he has taken an approach of such sorts. A few months ago when India played Australia in an ODI in Ranchi, the Indian players wore camouflaged caps, which were distributed by Dhoni himself.

It was in the memory of the Pulwama Attack martyrs back in February. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was unhappy with the move and also asked the ICC to look into the matter. The ICC later opened up on the matter and said that the BCCI already took permission for the same and hence, no action was taken.