WORLD CUP 2019: SMRITI IRANI COMES OUT IN SUPPORT OF MS DHONI OVER THE ARMY INSIGNIA GLOVE ROW

The 2019 World Cup campaign for India began on a winning note as in the inaugural match, the Virat Kohli-led team defeated the Proteas with 6 wickets. Though the win was the talk of the town, former captain Mahendra Dhoni became the center of attraction as he was seen wearing the dagger insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves. The logo caught ICC’s attention and the cricket governing body had raised objections over Dhoni sporting the glove with the logo. While the matter was still being negotiated between ICC and the BCCI, Dhoni received immense support from back home and Union Minister Smriti Irani too spoke in his defence.

Taking to social media, Smriti came out in support of the 2011 World Cup winning captain and posted a picture of Indian Army’s Balidaan insignia. Smriti used two hashtags, ‘men of honour’ and ‘heroes’. With this post, Smriti became the second Union Minister to come out in support of MS Dhoni who was asked not to wear the glove with the Army logo on it.

Here's Smriti's post: 

View this post on Instagram

 

#heroes #menofhonour @indianarmy.adgpi 🙏

A post shared by Smriti Irani (@smritiiraniofficial) on Jun 7, 2019 at 8:01pm PDT

Earlier Sports Minister of India, Kiren Rijuji had tweeted on the issue and stated that the government doesn’t like to interfere in sports matter but when it comes to emotions related to the country, the interest of the nation has to be kept in mind.

सरकार खेल निकायों के मामलों में हस्तक्षेप नहीं करती है, वे स्वायत्त हैं। लेकिन जब मुद्दा देश की भावनाओं से जुड़ा होता है, तो राष्ट्र के हित को ध्यान में रखना होता है। मैं बीसीसीआई से आग्रह करता हूँ की वह महेंद्र सिंह धोनी ग्‍लव्‍स मामला में उचित क़दम उठाए।

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 7, 2019

While BCCI had made an appeal to the ICC to allow Dhoni to continue to wear the gloves with the logo. However, ICC remained firm on their stand and Dhoni has been asked not to wear the gloves as ICC’s code of conduct players to only wear sports gear which only shows manufacturer’s logo and nothing else.

In the latest developments to the whole Dhoni- ICC row, the Army has distanced itself and has stated that it has nothing to do with it. “It was Dhoni's personal decision to wear the Army insignia on his gloves and the Army had nothing to do with it. The International Cricket Council (ICC) alone could take a decision on the issue,” said Lt Gen Cherish Matheson.

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