MS Dhoni gets more backing, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju asks BCCI to stand with former India captain

ICC World Cup: Dhoni was seen donning a regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces on his wicket-keeping gloves during India’s World Cup 2019 opening match being played against South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday.

Updated on: Jun 7, 2019, 16:02:12 IST

New Delhi | By Anonymous

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should stand with MS Dhoni on the gloves controversy as it has nothing to do with politics.

India's Mahendra Singh Dhoni fields during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between South Africa and India at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, southern England, on June 5, 2019. (AFP)

“I am hopeful that BCCI will take up this matter with ICC and will solve this matter. M S Dhoni’s identity is country’s identity, army’s identity and it is not politics. So, BCCI should stand with Dhoni,” he told reporters.

ALSO READ: MS Dhoni Army insignia gloves row: BCCI backs ex-captain, to request ICC for permission during World Cup

Rijiju said the government does not intervene in the affairs of the sports bodies as the bodies are autonomous and independent.

“I would like to say very clearly that the government does not intervene in the affairs of the sports bodies. BCCI or any sports federation, they are autonomous and they run their affairs independently,” he added.

Dhoni was seen donning a regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces on his wicket-keeping gloves during India’s World Cup 2019 opening match being played against South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: ‘Dhoni in England not for Mahabharat’, Pakistan minister on Army insignia gloves controversy

Rijiju also urged BCCI that they should put forward their views while keeping people’s emotions in mind.

“The incident that took place during the World Cup is a thing related to India’s reputation, I want to say that BCCI, on their level, should take up the matter with ICC and keeping Indian citizen’s emotions in mind, they should put forward their views properly,” Rijiju said.

Rijiju concluded saying that if necessary, BCCI should inform the government.

“I would like to request BCCI to take up matter with ICC properly and if necessary inform the government accordingly,” he said.

Get live cricket scores, match updates, schedules, results and ICC rankings. Follow the latest news, statistics and performances of top teams and players on Hindustan Times.