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BCCI seeks ICC permission to allow Dhoni’s gloves with dagger insignia

Published

7 years ago

June 7, 2019

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has defended MS Dhoni after the International Cricket Council (ICC) objected to the army crest on his wicketkeeping gloves during India’s World Cup 2019 opening match against South Africa on June 5.

Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai confirmed that BCCI has written a letter to the International Cricket Council seeking permission for Dhoni to wear the gloves with the army badge.

“We have already written (to ICC to seek permission for MS Dhoni to wear ‘Balidaan’ insignia on his gloves), will speak more after the meeting (CoA meeting),” Vinod Rai said.

Chairman of Indian Premier League, Rajeev Shukla said the ICC should not have any objection to let MS Dhoni wear the gloves as there is no commercial aspect involved in the gesture.

“It’s not a commercial or a religious thing. It’s only about the country’s pride. So I don’t think the ICC should have any objection because it has got nothing to do with commercial endorsements,” Rajeev Shukla said.

Dhoni, an honorary Lieutenant Colonel with the Indian Territorial Army, has been sporting the Balidaan Badge on his gloves and caps for quite some time now.

However, the rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC) clearly state that 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.

Former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia has advised Dhoni to keep sports above everything else and also added that if ICC wants him to remove Balidaan Baddge, then he should act accordingly.

“A player should go by the rules and regulations. If it’s against that, then Dhoni will have to remove it,” the torchbearer of Indian football told the media.

On other hand, former Indian track and field sprinter Milkha Singh contradicted Bhutia and rather supported Dhoni’s patriotic move. “He did the right thing,” Singh told the media.

While the ICC’s intervention and disapproval of Dhoni’s “Balidaan” badge was met with heavy criticism from fans on Twitter, who have explicitly expressed their support to the 37-year-old Indian cricketer.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry hit out at MS Dhoni for sporting the Balidaan Badge at the World Cup.

“Dhoni is in England to play cricket not to for MahaBharta , what an idiotic debate in Indian Media, a section of Indian media is so obsessed with War they should be sent to Syria, Afghanistan Or Rawanda as mercenaries,” Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011 and had undergone basic training under the Para Brigade in 2015, showed his love for the Army during India’s maiden clash against South Africa on June 05.

The ‘Balidaan’ badge or patch can be worn by personnel who served in the Para Special Forces, and Dhoni had undergone a two-week initial training with the para regiment.

(With Inputs from media reports)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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India wins sixth U19 World Cup title with dominant 100-run win over England

India claimed their sixth U19 World Cup title after beating England by 100 runs in the 2026 final, powered by Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s stunning 175 in Harare.

Published

5 hours ago

February 6, 2026

[email protected]

India lifted the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2026 title after defeating England by 100 runs in the final at Harare Sports Club on Friday. The win marked India’s sixth U19 World Cup triumph, extending their record in the tournament’s history.

Led by Ayush Mhatre, India produced a commanding all-round performance, headlined by a breathtaking century from young batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

Suryavanshi’s historic knock powers India to 411

Batting first, India posted a massive total of 411 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. Vaibhav Suryavanshi laid the foundation with a sensational 175 off just 80 balls, an innings filled with aggressive strokeplay and clean hitting.

Suryavanshi’s knock put England under immediate pressure and helped India maintain a high scoring rate throughout the innings. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals towards the end, India crossed the 400-run mark, setting England a daunting target in the final.

England fight back through Falconer

Chasing 412, England showed early intent but lost wickets at crucial moments. Caleb Falconer emerged as England’s standout performer, scoring a remarkable 115 off 67 balls. His aggressive innings, which included multiple sixes, briefly kept England in contention and pushed the total past 300.

However, England’s middle and lower order struggled to build sustained partnerships as India’s bowlers maintained control during the latter half of the innings.

India seal emphatic win in final overs

England were eventually bowled out for 311 in 40.2 overs, handing India a commanding 100-run victory in the final. The margin of the win stands among the most convincing performances in U19 World Cup finals in recent editions.

India’s disciplined bowling effort and sharp fielding, highlighted by key catches in the deep, ensured there were no late twists in the contest.

With this victory, India once again underlined their dominance at the youth level, while Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s innings is set to be remembered as one of the defining moments of the U19 World Cup 2026.

Cricket news

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record 175 puts India U19 on course for massive total in World Cup final

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s stunning 175 off 80 balls powered India U19 into a commanding position against England in the U19 World Cup 2026 final.

Published

11 hours ago

February 6, 2026

[email protected]

India Under-19 rode on a breathtaking century from Vaibhav Suryavanshi to seize complete control of the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 final against England at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday.

Suryavanshi’s extraordinary innings came to an end in the 26th over, when he was dismissed for 175 off just 80 balls. As he walked back to the pavilion, the England players applauded the teenager, acknowledging one of the most remarkable knocks in the tournament’s history.

The right-hander’s innings was studded with 15 fours and 15 sixes, showcasing fearless strokeplay on the biggest stage. His knock has put India firmly on track to post a total well in excess of 400.

Fastest century in a U19 World Cup final

Suryavanshi reached his century in just 55 balls, setting a new record for the fastest hundred in a U19 World Cup final. He later became the first batter ever to score 150 or more runs in the summit clash, reaching the milestone in only 71 deliveries.

The 14-year-old also finished the innings as the highest run-scorer of the tournament, surpassing the previous record held by Afghanistan’s Faisal Shinwari.

At the time of his dismissal, India were cruising at 251 for three in 25.3 overs, with the scoring rate soaring above nine runs per over.

Strong support from the middle order

Before Suryavanshi’s dismissal, India captain Ayush Mhatre also played a key role with a fluent half-century, ensuring there was no let-up in momentum. England struggled to contain the Indian batters as boundaries flowed freely across the ground.

With wickets in hand and plenty of overs remaining, India remain well placed to post a record total in the final.

The match is currently in progress.

Cricket news

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif confirms boycott of India match at T20 World Cup

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed his country’s decision to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India, prompting concern from the ICC over selective participation.

Published

2 days ago

February 5, 2026

[email protected]

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed his government’s decision to boycott the country’s T20 World Cup match against India, stating that Islamabad has taken a “clear stand” on the issue.

Addressing the federal cabinet in Islamabad, Sharif said Pakistan would not take the field against India for the scheduled February 15 match in Sri Lanka. He added that the decision was made after careful assessment and described it as an appropriate step.

“There should be no politics in sports,” the prime minister said, adding that the stance was final after due deliberation.

ICC flags issue of selective participation

Pakistan’s position follows an earlier statement by the government, shared on social media, indicating that the national team would not play the group-stage match against India. No specific reason was cited in that post.

Reacting to the development, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said selective participation goes against the core principles of global sporting events. In a statement, the ICC noted the Government of Pakistan’s position and said it was awaiting official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The ICC said tournaments are built on fairness, consistency, and sporting integrity, and selective participation undermines the spirit of international competition. It added that while governments have their own policy considerations, such decisions are not in the interest of the global game or fans worldwide.

The governing body urged the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution that safeguards the interests of all stakeholders and ensures the successful conduct of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Bangladesh replacement and wider context

The issue comes amid recent developments involving other teams. The ICC had announced last month that Scotland would replace Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to participate as per the published schedule.

The decision followed the ICC’s rejection of Bangladesh’s request to move its matches out of India, citing the absence of any credible or verifiable security threat. Scotland, currently ranked 14th in T20 Internationals, was named as the replacement being the highest-ranked team not originally qualified.

India-Pakistan rivalry record

Pakistan and India have faced each other eight times in ICC T20 World Cups, with India holding a dominant 7-1 record. In last year’s Asia Cup, India also defeated Pakistan in a series of matches, including the final.

The T20 World Cup 2026 will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States.