'Dhoni's gloves send a good message to the troops of his support,' says Lt General (Retd) Vinod Bhatia in whose presence MS Dhoni was commissioned into Parachute Regiment

Commenting on the ICC-Dhoni's 'Balidaan' badge issue, Lt General (Retd) Vinod Bhatia,ex-DGMO, on Friday has said there was nothing political/religious/commercial about the former Indian cricket captain sporting the 'Balidaan' badge on his gloves in support of his regiment, speaking to ANI.

Incidentally, it was in the presence of the retired Lt General when MS Dhoni was commissioned into Parachute Regiment of Territorial Army in 2011.

He also added that  Dhoni supporting the army will send a good message to the troops.

Commenting how the Pakistan Cricket team had dedicated their 2016 Lord's match to the Pakistan Army, he added that when the same was done by Dhoni people in Pakistan, India and the ICC have a problem.

WATCH: Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju Issues Statement Backing MS Dhoni Over 'Balidaan Badge', Tells BCCI To Take Up The Matter With ICC And Keep Government In The Know As Nation's Pride Is Involved

Earlier in the day, Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that while the Government does not interfere with autonomous sports body, he hopes that the BCCI backs MS Dhoni as it is a matter of national pride. He has also added that the sentiment of the nation should be kept in mind by the BCCI while dealing with ICC.

"The government does not interfere in the functioning of BCCI or any sports body. They are autonomous in nature. On the incident related to the World Cup, as reports have come that the pride of India is involved, I would like to say that BCCI should take up the issue on their level properly with the ICC. They should also keep in mind the sentiment of the nation while dealing with the issue," he said.

As the nation's pride is involved in this particular issue, Rijiju has also said that the BCCI should inform the government of the updates in the matter hoping for proper resolution through conversation.

BIG: BCCI Backs MS Dhoni's 'Balidaan Badge' Gloves Amid Nationwide Campaign, Writes To ICC Seeking Clearance

Prior to this development, the BCCI had spoken to Republic TV sources saying that they had already written a letter to the ICC on seeking clearance for MS Dhoni to continue wearing the insignia badge on his gloves, with the Committee of Administrators chief Vinod Rai confirming the news.

"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)," Rai said. 

Big Provocation: ICC Takes Issue With MS Dhoni's 'Balidaan Badge' Tribute To India's Para Forces, Asks BCCI To Get It Taken Off His Gloves

The entire controversy started when the International Cricket Council (ICC), on Thursday, requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to get the 'Balidaan' insignia removed from Indian cricketer and former Team India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's wicketkeeping gloves citing that the ICC official rules regarding equipment and clothing do not allow the show of political and religious messages during a match.

Incidentally, MS Dhoni is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Para-Air troops on the Indian Army and belongs to the same regiment as the Para Special forces whose badge he is seen sporting.