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In a fresh diktat for players representing various teams in domestic competitions, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has instructed match referees to ensure that none of the India players -- current or discarded -- sport the India logo either on their helmet or on their gear as that will be considered a violation of the association's code.
Normally, when the players break into the national team and then subsequently come to domestic cricket, they have a habit of wearing India helmets, jerseys or caps, which will not be allowed from this season onwards.
"The rule has been there from the start of the season but has only been implemented in all earnestness during the recently-concluded Deodhar Trophy final between West Zone and East Zone," a BCCI official said on Sunday.
"The clear instruction given to the match referees is to tell team officials that the players are not permitted to use India jerseys, caps or helmets. If the players inadvertently wear India stuff, there should be taping on the helmet crest or caps. That's the reason match referee Sanjay Raul intimated both Delhi and Saurashtra managers about the BCCI diktat," the source added.
Since most of the players were not following it, it was seen during Deodhar Trophy final in Mumbai recently that Kedar Jadhav of West Indies got his India helmet patched with white tape while East Zone captain Manoj Tiwary, who was wearing the India ODI cap, also covered the India logo.
Delhi batsmen Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Unmukt Chand on Sunday had taped the BCCI logos on their helmets on day one of their Ranji Trophy opening match against Saurashtra.
When a BCCI office-bearer was contacted, he said: "For long this has been a trend but it should change. Even if you have played for India, when you are playing for your state, you should respect the state cap and the jersey.
"I agree not all states provide helmets with association logos, but you can always try to be a part of team rather than be portrayed as superior player."