Mahendra Singh Dhoni sporting an Army insignia on his gloves during the India-South Africa clash was well appreciated by fans on Twitter but the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to have it removed, saying it was against its regulations.

Claire Furlong, ICC general manager, strategic communications, said that the BCCI has been asked to get the symbol removed from Dhoni’s gloves.

“It is against the regulations and we have requested the BCCI to get it removed,” she said. “We have requested this as only a manufacturer’s logo is allowed on a wicketkeeper’s gloves.”

The Balidaan Badge or the Army insignia was spotted on Dhoni’s gloves as TV replays showed him stumping Andile Phehlukwayo in the 40th over of the innings bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal.

The regimental dagger insignia was embossed on his green wicket-keeping gloves. While there is a possibility that Dhoni may have worn these gloves with the dagger insignia earlier too, it did get a lot of attention on social media this time with fans loving his unique way of paying tribute to the Armed forces.

But the ICC regulations say: “The ICC equipment and clothing regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match.”

India’s next match is against Australia at The Oval on Sunday.

Twitter though was abuzz with fans showing respect to Dhoni. One fan wrote: “Salute & respect to MS Dhoni who printed insignia of ‘Balidan’ on his wicket keeping gloves.”

Another fan wrote: “This man shows his love for the nation and army. A Regimental Dragger(BALIDAN) of Indian Army Para Special Force on MS Dhoni Gloves. #IndianArmy #Balidan.”

In 2011, Dhoni was given an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel and he has undergone training for a brief period with the Para regiment. During the course of his training in Agra, Dhoni is believed to have done five parachute jumps.