WITH PTI INPUTS

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NEW DELHI: As the controversy over MS Dhoni wearing wicket-keeping gloves bearing an insignia of the Indian Army escalates, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) chief Vinod Rai has backed the former Indian captain.Vinod Rai has said that the insignia is neither religious nor commercial and the Board of Control for Cricket in India ( BCCI ) stands behind Dhoni in the matter.Rai told PTI, "The BCCI had already sent a formal request to the ICC for clearance. As per ICC regulations, players can't sport any commercial, religious or military logo. There was nothing commercial or religious in this regard as we all know,"Rai also said, "And it is not the paramilitary regimental dagger that is embossed in his gloves. So Dhoni is not in breach of ICC regulations."According to reports the COA chief's defence is based on the fact that the word 'balidaan', which is part of the dagger emblem of the para-regimental force is not written on Dhoni's gloves.Dhoni is a honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment of the Indian Territorial Army.Rai also said that the BCCI will also appeal the ICC to continue the usage of the gloves bearing Insignia of the Indian Army.When asked what their stand would be if the ICC insists on Dhoni not wearing those specific gloves or sanctions the former India captain, Vinod Rai said, "I think there has been a request to get it removed and not an instruction."He also added, "As far as we are concerned, the BCCI CEO (Rahul Johri) will be reaching there before the Australia game and will be speaking to the senior ICC officials."The issue cropped up after MS Dhoni was spotted sporting the dagger insignia on his gloves during India’s opening match against South Africa in Southampton on June 5.After the news spread like wildfire on social media, the ICC, on Thursday said that they are requesting Dhoni to not use the gloves with the insignia embossed on them.