World T20 artwork involved in controversy over missing 'India' sign

The World T20 in India has not yet entered its main stages, and there have been several logistical disasters already. The latest controversy to have struck the showpiece tournament is regarding a poster advertising the event, where the word ‘India’ is missing from MS Dhoni’s jersey.

This poster, seen outside stadiums and in prominent locations in the country, has what has been termed as a design error at the stage of artwork, reports The Mirror. The BCCI has reportedly taken the matter up with ICC, which is the body to have issued the advertisement and authorised the hoardings.

"We have pointed this out to the right persons," said a BCCI member who is part of the World Twenty20 organising committee. "We have been informed that it will be corrected." However, when an ICC spokesman was told that the Indian cricket board was taking up the matter, he said, "No comment."

The controversial image has one more flaw, apart from the one pointed out. It features seven countries who have been given automatic qualification to the main stages of the World T20, but does not mention the eighth team, Pakistan.

In the poster, New Zealand’s Corey Anderson, Australia’s David Warner, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews and South Africa’s Dale Steyn have the names of their countries clearly emblazoned on their jerseys. England’s Jos Buttler’s jersey lettering is shielded by his gloves and forearms, while Chris Gayle’s is shielded by his hands.

While there is some portion of the lettering visible on Buttler and Gayle’s jerseys, there is no indication that Dhoni’s jersey, despite having his forearm cover it, has the word ‘India’.

Piyush Pandey of Ogilvy, the company which has made the advertisement, has said that he does not see anything wrong with the picture.