Sources in the know of developments in the Indian camp said that while the final decision rests with Dhoni, the former India skipper has been told by team members that they will back him and support whatever call he takes with regards to sporting the badge on his gloves.
“The unity is evident and respect they have for the former skipper is unquestionable. The players have made it very clear to Dhoni that while the decision on whether he wears the same gloves against Australia or not lies with him, they are with him and will back him. They have in fact urged him to keep wearing the same gloves that he wore in India’s opening game of the World Cup,” the source said.
The source further added that while the ICC in its statement to the media on Friday said that no personal messages or individual logo was allowed, it doesn’t hold ground in Dhoni’s case on two counts.
“Firstly, you cannot have any other member wearing gloves while fielding. So, there is no question of it being done by all team members. Secondly, the others don’t hold honourary post in the armed forces. So, why would they be sporting an Army insignia? The ICC still has some answering to do and the Indian team isn’t convinced with the reasons presented behind disapproving the request from the Indian board to allow Dhoni to continue with the gloves,” the source explained.
Interestingly, vice-captain Rohit Sharma had already given a hint on what was to be the team’s line of action when he told the media on Saturday that they should wait and watch what happens in this regard when India take the field against Australia on Sunday.
As per regulations, Dhoni would be reprimanded if he does go ahead and agree to wear the gloves on Sunday. The second offence would attract a fine of 25 per cent of the match fee. A third offence would mean a 50 per cent fine of the fee and a fourth offence would see the player losing 75 per cent of his match fee. All of this within 12 months.
The whole issue started during India’s opening game against South Africa in the ongoing World Cup when Dhoni once again professed his love for the security forces after he was spotted with regimental dagger insignia of the Indian Para Special Forces on his wicket-keeping gloves.