ICC rejected Chris Gayle's request to use 'Universe Boss' logo before censoring MS Dhoni's 'dagger' sporting wicketkeeping gloves

Amid the furore caused by the ICC's refusal to permit Dhoni to wear his dagger insignia inscribed wicket-keeping gloves on Friday, new developments in the story have revealed that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had not only rejected Mahendra Singh Dhoni but had also denied West Indies opener Chris Gayle permission to use 'Universe Boss' logo on his bat.

Taking a firm stand, the ICC on Friday denied Mahendra Singh Dhoni permission to wear the dagger insignia on his wicket-keeping gloves during the World Cup despite BCCI's assertion that it was not a military symbol. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had sought permission for the star batsman from the world governing body, which eventually cited regulations in denying the permission.

"The regulations for ICC events do not permit any individual message or logo to be displayed on any items of clothing or equipment. In addition to this, the logo also breaches the regulations in relation to what is permitted on wicketkeeper gloves," said ICC.

Dhoni Will Have To Remove Dagger Insignia From Gloves: ICC

Chris Gayle, a self-proclaimed 'Universe Boss', had requested the ICC, prior to the Dhoni's glove controversy, to allow him to use it for his bat branding but he was informed that he couldn't use any clothing or sporting equipment for personal messages.

"ICC couldn't have made an exception for Dhoni as no personal messages are allowed on equipment. Gayle wanted it but when he was refused permission, he accepted it and moved on," an official privy to the development told the media. 

Justifying his claim and posing Dhoni as an example the official said, "It is not about military symbolism. It is about a simple rule that no personal messages are allowed. If ICC did not make an exception for Gayle, then how come they would make it for Dhoni." 

The ICC had allowed the Indian team to wear camouflage caps recently during an international match against Australia because it was a bilateral series.

"A formal request was made by the BCCI as they wanted to use the match as a fund-raiser for the victims of the Pulwama terror attack. In bilateral series, ICC allows teams to do charity. Just like the Pink Test' in Australia for the Jane McGrath foundation that works on breast cancer awareness, the source further added.

BCCI Falls In With ICC, Gives Up On MS Dhoni's 'Balidaan Badge' Glove

The rule-book allows for only one sponsor's logo on the wicket-keeping gloves. In Dhoni's case, he already sports an SG logo on his gloves. However, while rejecting MS Dhoni's appeal, they thereby putting emphasis on regulations said that 

It has also been learnt that even innocuous messages or emojis are not allowed on equipment.

MS Dhoni is yet to get any official reprimand from the ICC for the South Africa game, during which his green gloves had been spotted to have dagger insignia. As per rules, if he sports the insignia again in any of the matches, he would first be warned and then face financial penalties of 25, 50 and 75 percent of match fees for every transgression.

(With PTI inputs)