ICC rejects BCCI's appeal to allow Dhoni's insignia gloves

The ICC confirmed that the logo displayed on Dhoni's wicketkeeping gloves is an infringement of the laws of the game © AFP

The International Cricket Council has vetoed BCCI's persistent attempts to allow MS Dhoni to sport the "insignia" gloves in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales.

The ICC confirmed that the logo displayed on Dhoni's wicketkeeping gloves in India's first World Cup match against South Africa is an infringement of the laws of the game.

The ICC's rules and regulations prohibit individual messages and logos on sporting gear and attire during any ICC event. Furthermore, it is also an infringement of the regulations regarding the content allowed to be displayed specifically on wicketkeeping gloves.

"The ICC has responded to the BCCI to confirm the logo displayed by MS Dhoni in the previous match is not permitted to be worn on his wicket-keeping gloves at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019," the cricket governing body said in a statement on Friday (June 7).

"The regulations for ICC events do not permit any individual message or logo to be displayed on any items of clothing or equipment. In addition to this, the logo also breaches the regulations in relation to what is permitted on wicketkeeper gloves."

MS Dhoni's set of wicket-keeping gloves in the World Cup game against South Africa in Southampton, sporting the Army's dagger insignia, seem to have triggered quite a storm after it was spotted on camera. The ICC was swiftly involved, issuing a directive to the BCCI to ban Dhoni from wearing the gloves

The ICC has cited regulation D.1 from the ICC's rulebook that deals with clothing regulation to drive home their point.

Regulation D.1:

"No Logo shall be permitted to be displayed on Cricket Clothing or Cricket Equipment, other than a National Logo, a Commercial Logo, an Event Logo, a Manufacturer's Logo, a Player's Bat Logo, a Charity Logo or a Non-Commercial Logo as provided in these regulations."
The regulation further goes on to say, "In addition, where any Match official becomes aware of any clothing or equipment that does not comply with these Regulations, he shall be authorised to prevent the offending person from taking the field of play (or to order them from the field of play, if appropriate) until the non-compliant clothing or equipment is removed or appropriately covered up."

The BCCI, however, insisted that the insignia, also called the 'Balidaan badge' or a badge of sacrifice, had "none of those connotations" listed by the ICC. Vinod Rai, the CoA chief told PTI that Dhoni would continue wearing the dagger insignia on his gloves as it is not a military symbol. Despite the ICC directive, which Rai insists is "a request to get it removed and not an instruction".

However, Dhoni would still have been required to seek permission from the ICC as stated by rule L.

Rule L:

"In order for any Logo or Personal Message to be ICC-approved for use in any match or series of matches to which these Regulations apply, the party seeking approval must apply to ICC for the grant of such approval and such approval must have been granted in advance of the commencement of the match or series in question."
However, the latest ruling by the ICC has put an end to the issue, putting a direct embargo on Dhoni wearing the gloves with the Dagger Insignia badge, disallowing India's ex-captain from sporting the logo in question on his wicketkeeping gloves in the upcoming World Cup encounters.

India are set to take on Australia at the Kennington Oval in London on Sunday (June 9) - their first face-off in a World Cup league match since the 2003 edition.