Suresh Raina throws his weight behind MS Dhoni over sporting Balidaan Badge

MS Dhoni showed respect to the Indian Para Special Forces by sporting regimental dagger insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves in India’s first World Cup match against South Africa. But since it was against the regulations of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the apex cricketing body requested the BCCI to get the symbol removed from the veteran’s gloves. However, the BCCI and CoA chief Vinod Rai have backed MS Dhoni in the matter and has requested ICC again to let him wear the ‘Balidaan Badge’.

Ever since, the special insignia has been spotted, a lot is being said in favour and against Dhoni. While the Pakistan minister Fawad Chaudhry slammed the wicket-keeper batsman, Dhoni received great response from the Indian fraternity. The latest to join the bandwagon is his Chennai Super Kings teammate Suresh Raina who feels that the act should be taken as patriotism and not nationalism.

Suresh Raina, in his tweet, cleared that the players represent their country on the field and they give their 100 percent to make India proud. He also felt that MS Dhoni is only showing respect to the heroes of the country and is honouring them.

“While we are on the field, we devote ourselves to our country & we give all we can to make India proud. We all love our country & that’s exactly @msdhoni has done, saluting the sacrifices of our heroes & honouring them. It should be taken as an act of patriotism & not nationalism,” his tweet read.

Here’s his tweet:

While we are on the field, we devote ourselves to our country & we give all we can to make India proud. We all love our country & that’s exactly @msdhoni has done, saluting the sacrifices of our heroes & honouring them. It should be taken as an act of patriotism & not nationalism

— Suresh Raina???????? (@ImRaina) June 7, 2019

India play their next match against Australia on Sunday

With the ‘Balidaan Badge’ controversy taking centre stage off the field, Team India will be concentrating on being clinical in their job on the field. After going past South Africa rather comfortably, they will be challenged by Australia on Sunday who have won both their matches so far. It also remains to be seen if MS Dhoni will sport the gloves with the Balidaan Badge if no decision is taken on the matter by then. The ICC is yet to consider BCCI’s request on the issue.