BackOpinion | Patriotism on the sleeve
During India’s opening World Cup game against South Africa in Southampton, Dhoni’s green keeping gloves had a dagger logo embossed, which looked more like an Army insignia
PremiumM.S. Dhoni’s run-in with the International Cricket Council (ICC) for sporting an Army insignia on his gloves has raised the question of just how much patriotism players should be allowed to display on the field. The ICC has asked him to remove the insignia—a dagger with “balidan", or sacrifice, inscribed on it, which is worn by Indian special para forces. Dhoni is an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army, and his love for the armed forces is well known. In March, he presented Army-design caps to the Indian team, whose members them for a match played in tribute to our soldiers after the Pulwama attack.
It is unclear exactly what the ICC’s exact objection is. But the former Indian captain’s action may reportedly be a violation of rules that disallow displays that could convey political, religious or racial messages. Cricket’s global governing body thus needs to approve what a cricketer wears for a tournament. A mark of solidarity with the army of one’s country is neither racial nor religious, and if taken in the right spirit, not even political. A Pakistani minister, however, has jumped in to the controversy, criticizing Dhoni for mixing cricket with war. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has supported Dhoni and said that it would formally seek ICC’s approval, suggesting that it backs Dhoni.
In the mid-2000s, Sachin Tendulkar began displaying the Indian flag on his helmet. At first, some saw disrespect for the flag. But in time, it caught on, with many other players following suit, including India’s current captain Virat Kohli. If that is alright, it’s hard to argue that Dhoni’s insignia is not. While cricket is cricket, a game to be played and not waged, harmless displays should not bother anyone. But if they do, and there’s a real risk of a misunderstanding on the field, then that’s another matter. Perhaps it’s best left to cricketers to judge what is good sportsmanship and what is not.
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