Double standards? ICC objects to MS Dhoni's 'Balidaan Badge' glove, had stayed mum when Pakistan and West Indies paid tribute to their forces

In the history of cricket, teams from across the global spectrum have used the ground to pay tributes to their respective forces. Amid a nation-wide furore of MS Dhoni wearing the 'Balidaan' badge insignia on his wicketkeeping gloves, Republic unearths ICC's bias against the former Indian skipper.

While the BCCI has sent a formal request to the international cricket body for clearance over the issue, here is a timeline of cricket teams paying their tributes to their Forces- 

West Indies- June 6, 2019 

Without having to go too far in history, a day before when West Indies locked horns with Australia in the World Cup 2019, left arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell of the West Indies celebrated every dismissal in the game with a salute to the pavillion and a short march. 

A former Jamaican Defence force soldier himself, Cottrell with the salute paid tribute to the Jamaican Armed Forces. 

Pakistan- October 2016

Following a Test match win at Lord's, the Pakistani cricket team formed a celebration by doing push-ups back in 2016 in rememberance of their training camp in Abottabad and Lahore with the Pakistan Army. 

While they faced the flak by Pakistani lawmakers, ICC batted not one eye-lash for the victory performance.

However, a controversy sparked and blew out of proportion after the ICC on Thursday asked the BCCI to get the 'Balidaan' insignia off the Indian cricketer's wicketkeeping gloves citing ICC rules over clothing and equipment that does not allow the show of political and religious messages during a match.

MS Dhoni was seen sporting the 'Balidaan Badge' or the regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces on his wicketkeeping gloves during the India vs South Africa World Cup match on Wednesday. The 'Balidaan Badge' was clearly spotted when the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman dismissed Andile Phehlukwayo in the 40th over of the South African innings in India’ first World Cup match on Wednesday.

After the ICC's decision to ask BCCi to get the insignia removed, many military officials, actors, sportspersons, government authorities have vocally supported MS Dhoni to keep the gloves on sporting the insignia.

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.