World Cup 2019: Twitter salutes MS Dhoni for sporting gloves with Army insignia 'BALIDAN'

The Army insignia on Dhoni's wicketkeeping loves symbolises the regimental dagger of the Indian Para Special Forces

While India began their World Cup campaign against South Africa on winning note on Wednesday, wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was spotted donning the 'Balidan' (sacrifice) badge on his wicket-keeping glove. It was clearly seen when the former captain stumped Andile Phehlukwayo out. The Army insignia on Dhoni's wicketkeeping loves symbolises the regimental dagger of the Indian Para Special Forces. As soon as the picture surfaced on social media, it went viral like wildfire. Within no time, fans poured in love and respect for the former India captain. Here’s the post:

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 pic.twitter.com/P5haUEyQcy

— Sachin Joraviya (@SachinJoraviya) June 5, 2019

Have a look at how the fans went gaga over Dhoni’s gesture:

Lt Col (Hony) Mahendra Singh Dhoni, 106 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army (Para) (Airborne) The balidan, a validation of, 'Who Dares Wins'. MS Dhoni Wicket Keeping gloves. Having,#BalidanBadge pic.twitter.com/gIgp21GNN8

— Girish Bharadwaja (@Girishvhp) June 6, 2019

This men show's his love for the nation & Indian army.🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 A Regimental Dragger(BALIDAN) Of Indian army para special force on his gloves.. Love u @msdhoni by.. Proud of u👩❤💋👨👨❤💋👨👨❤💋👨 @BCCI @ICC @SaakshiSRawat #CWC19 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/rzHVsh1InB

— Debojit Nath(Dev) ✌✌🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@Debojit97534) June 6, 2019

Did you notice? The regimental dagger insignia of the Indian #Para Special Forces on#Dhoni’s gloves. 😍 #Balidan ! Param dharma🔥@msdhoni Good start for world cup 🇮🇳#howsthejosh #TeamIndia #CWC19 #EidDayViolence #balidaanbadge @virendersehwag @majorgauravarya @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/AzXsOpLIxF

— Vinit Kulkarni (@koolvinit_india) June 6, 2019

Well who can be better than ths Man 2 teach d literal meaning of "BALIDAN"...!!! (In ICT context) 🇮🇳👍#MSDhoni #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/EdUO0E8Kup

— Pranshu Singh (@pran28singh) June 5, 2019

Lt. Colonel @msdhoni is a proud member of @adgpi and always proud to wear his regimental Parachute regiment #Balidan symbol.@TheSatishDua @MajDPSingh @majorgauravarya #army #indianarmy #IndianCricketTeam #Dhoni@Ptr6Vb @bhushan_gyan @kayjay34350 pic.twitter.com/8waDkrSMMV

— Aditya Singh (@Beingadiisingh) June 5, 2019

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 #CWC19 #SAvIND #IndvSA #MSDhoni #ViratKohli #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/gpAGv3rxGo

— mahesh_360 (@mynameismahii) June 5, 2019

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 during the training period. The former skipper's love for the Army is well known, as he has often expressed his desire of joining the forces. Earlier this year, Dhoni and the Indian team wore army caps during the ODI match against Australia at Ranchi as a tribute to the CRPF personnel who lost their lives in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack. India, who began their World Cup campaign on Wednesday, defeated South Africa by six wickets as Rohit Sharma struck an unbeaten century. Dhoni also looked in fine touch in the match as he scored 34 runs but he was dismissed at the end of the match by Chris Morris. India will next face Australia in the World Cup on June 9.