After much wait, Team India opened their account in the ICC World Cup 2019 by defeating the South African team in its opening encounter in Southampton by six wickets. Rohit Sharma slammed an unbeaten 122* in 144 balls and with the help of KL Rahul and MS Dhoni’s valuable contributions thwarted any effort by a potent Proteas bowling unit.

During the South African batting innings, Indian wicketkeeper MS Dhoni was seen sporting a regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces on his wicket-keeping gloves. The “Balidaan Badge” or the Army insignia was spotted on Dhoni’s gloves as television replays showed him stumping Phehlukwayo in the 40th over of the innings bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal.

However, now the International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked the BCCI to tell Dhoni to remove the insignia. “We have requested the BCCI to get it removed,” Claire Furlong, ICC General Manager, Strategic Communications said.

Dhoni, who has been conferred an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011, had also undergone training under the Para Brigade in 2015. However, the ICC regulations say, “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.”

(IANS inputs)