NEW DELHI – The Indian Army on Thursday confirmed that cricketer MahendraSingh Dhoni has decided to use his break from the sport to serve in KashmirValley as he joined a battalion, international media reported.
“The 38-year old wicketkeeper had expressed his unavailability for the tourof West Indies next month and will instead head to the Kashmir Valley,”ESPNcricinfo reported. “There, he will join the 106 Territorial ArmyBattalion (Para) and stay with them from July 31 to August 15.”
According to the publication, Indian Army spokesperson Colonel Aman Anandnoted that Dhoni “will be performing duties of patrolling among other suchactivities and would be staying with the troops”.
An honourary Lieutenant Colonel, the cricketer would stay with the troopsduring his serving time and perform patrolling as well as some other duties.
On June 7, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had rejected the Boardof Control For Cricket’s (BCCI) request to let Dhoni support the ‘Balidaan’insignia — an emblem for the Indian Army — on his gloves for the remainingmatches of the ICC World Cup 2019.
In its statement, the ICC had said no symbol or message can be pasted orcarried on the sports gears or jersey according to the rules. Dhoni’swicketkeeping gloves were in violation of the ICC’s rules, it added.
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“As per ICC regulations, players can’t sport any commercial, religious ormilitary logo. There was nothing commercial or religious in this regard aswe all know,” Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai had said.
The army insignia ‘Balidaan Badge’ was seen on the wicket keeper’s glovesduring India’s World Cup opener. “We have requested the BCCI to get itremoved,” ICC’s Strategic Communications General Manager Claire Furlong hadtold an Indian private media channel.
-APP/AFP