BHOPAL: Senior cricketers and army officers of the city are opposed to Dhoni sporting an Indian army insignia on his gloves. Army officers of the capital city believe that an insignia has a deep meaning and using it on one’s attire is not right. On the other hand, according to the cricketers of Bhopal, it was not such a big issue but rules are meant to be followed.
Free Press talked with retired army officers and senior cricketers of the capital city on the issue. Excerpts:
Bisht, Retd Colonel HC
Firstly, even ICC had no issues over Dhoni wearing that glove, I’d personally criticize Dhoni as the insignia should be embossed on maroon background not green. Secondly, such insignias have a very deep meaning and the sentiments of the regiment are connected with it, the battle that they fought, the sacrifices they gave to come up to this expectation. So personally I feel that using Army’s insignia in personal attire is not good.
Shyam Shrivastava, Retd Major General
Sentiments should not be mixed with the rules, so if according to ICC, it is a violation of the rules, Dhoni should not wear that glove again. Because Army persons abide all rules, Dhoni is himself an officer of para-regiment and for army men their love for regiment is above all. They want to keep their insignia all the time. He made a mistake, he must accept it. We, the Indians respect his sentiments and at the same time, discipline and observation of rules is also necessary.
JP Yadav, Former International Cricketer
Being a cricketer, I think it not a good gesture as it was a violation of the guidelines of ICC as stated, “ICC regulations 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.” And on a personal level I don’t think wearing the glove with insignia embossed on it is such a big issue but one must observe rules. Indian team cannot bear any ban or fine on Dhoni, he is the irreplaceable playerof the team.
Aditya Srivastava, MP Cricket Team Player
Dhoni is a very senior player, and despite knowing the guidelines of ICC if he wears a glove with insignia embossed on it, he must be sorry for it. ICC do not entertain Dhoni’s act, so he should have avoided it. It will be a very big loss for team Indian if ICC by any chance puts a ban on Dhoni or imposes any fine on him.
Rahul Garhwal, Cricket Lover
Cricket is the game of gentlemen and ICC has been very strict regarding violation of its rules. Dhoni is a legend but a player cannot be greater than the game. No one is above cricket. So I think Dhoni will avoid wearing those gloves in upcoming matches. Even Dhoni would not have thought that this will kick up an international controversy. He exhibits good sportsman spirit. And hopefully he will show it again in the coming matches.
