'The country proudly stands with you': India reacts with outrage as MS Dhoni is asked to remove army insignia from his wicketkeeping gloves at World Cup

• MS Dhoni, one of the game's biggest stars, is an honorary lieutenant colonel
• He sported the territorial army's dagger insignia on his gloves on Wednesday
• India fans complained that Dhoni was asked to remove the symbol by ICC
• The ICC said its clothing and equipment rules allow only manufacturers' logos

By Jack Kinnersley For Mailonline

Published: 07:41 EDT, 7 June 2019 | Updated: 07:41 EDT, 7 June 2019

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has sparked outrage from India fans after Mahendra Singh Dhoni was asked to remove an army insignia from his wicketkeeping gloves, forcing New Delhi to weigh in after a nationalistic furore in the country.

Dhoni, one of the game's biggest stars, is an honorary lieutenant colonel in the territorial army and sported its dagger insignia on his gloves during India's opening match against South Africa in the World Cup, hosted by England and Wales.

India supporters took to Twitter to complain about the decision with the hashtag #DoniKeepTheGlove. 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was asked to remove an army insignia from his wicketkeeping gloves

One fan said: 'He is the hero of this nation not only as a cricketer but also for determination towards his duties for nation. He earned right of wearing balidan badge.'

'ICC should focus on level of umpiring not for insulting our pride and our hero MS Dhoni.'

One supporter posted a photo of an umpire howler which cost West Indies star Chris Gayle his wicket during West Indies’ ICC World Cup 2019 group stage match against Australia at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Bowler Mitchell Star's foot was significantly over the crease line but the umpire failed to spot the no-ball and Gayle was given out. 

The fan captioned the photo saying: 'ICC, concentrate on more important things.'

Someone else said: 'Dear ICC... Balidan means sacrifice - the motto of the Indian Para Special forces. 

'The spirit of sacrifice that's taken a fantastic human being like Dhoni to the top of his game.'

Dhoni, one of the game's biggest stars, is an honorary lieutenant colonel in the territorial army

While someone else showed their backing as they said: 'I support the pride that he carries forever.'

The ICC said its clothing and equipment rules allow only manufacturers' logos on gloves, and that Dhoni or the Indian team had not sought any permission to sport the badge.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's nationalist government on Friday urged the country's cricket board (BCCI) to sort out the matter.

'The government does not interfere in matters of sports bodies, they are autonomous,' Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Twitter.

'But when the issue is related to the country's sentiments, then the interest of the nation has to be kept in mind. I urge the BCCI to take appropriate steps on the issue.'

The BCCI said it has already written to the world governing body for cricket seeking permission for Dhoni to sport the insignia.

The controversy has prompted passionate responses from both ruling and opposition politicians, Bollywood stars, as well as common citizens. #DhoniKeepTheGlove is the most trending hashtag on Twitter India.

Fawad Chaudhry, a federal minister in Pakistan, said Dhoni was in England to play cricket, not for any war.

In an unusually strong display of patriotic fervour in sport, Dhoni and his team members wore army camouflage-style caps in a one-day match against Australia in March to show their solidarity with Indian paramilitary police killed in a militant attack by a Pakistan-based group.

The team, led by Virat Kohli, also donated their earning from that match to the families of the defence personnel who died on duty.

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India reacts with outrage as MS Dhoni is asked to remove army insignia from his wicketkeeping gloves

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