MS Dhoni joins Army troops in militancy-infested south Kashmir on 2-week stint

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, an honorary lieutenant colonel in the Territorial Army, joined Army troops in the militancy-infested south Kashmir region on Wednesday to carry out patrolling, guard duties and similar responsibilities just like other soldiers.

The former Indian cricket team captain will be staying with his 106 TA Battalion (Para) till August 15 and under take duties with the troops, Army officials said.

"Lt Col Dhoni arrived here today and has joined his unit," one of the officials said.

The unit is deployed in the militancy-infested south Kashmir region as part of Victor Force.

The 38-year-old World Cup winning captain's two-week stint with his unit was approved by the Army headquarters last week on Dhoni's request.

Dhoni was accorded the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2011. He is also a qualified paratrooper after having completed five parachute training jumps.

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The wicket-keeper-batsman has been conferred the Padma Bhushan, the country's third highest civilian award, by President Ramnath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Amid mounting speculation around his international retirement after India's semi-final exit from the 2019 World Cup, Dhoni had told the Board of Control for Cricket in India he will take a two-month sabbatical from the game to serve his parachute regiment.

Dhoni had made himself "unavailable" for India's tour of West Indies but ruled out immediate retirement a day before the selectors met in Mumbai to pick the squads for the West Indies tour, starting on August 3.

The Territorial Army is a part of the Army. Its role is to relieve the regular Army from static duties and assist civil administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance of essential services. 

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MS Dhoni's passion for the Army

MS Dhoni formally joined para regiment on July 31 and will be a part of 106 Territorial Army Battalion (Para) till August 15. MS Dhoni had earlier announced that he would be unavailable for the upcoming Windies trip and would serve the Indian Army. Confirming his request, the Indian Army Headquarters on Thursday said that he will be stationed with the Victor Force in the Kashmir Valley and will be taking up patrolling, guard and post duty. They further informed that MS Dhoni who holds a Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) shall be staying with troops.

Mahi is a part of Indian territorial army's 106th Battalion (para). The World Cup 2011 winning skipper is a part of TA's 106th Infantry Battalion and was awarded the honorary rank of  Lieutenant Colonel in 2011.  The veteran wicket-keeper batsman had also trained with the para regiment after he was given the honorary rank in 2011 in Agra and has completed five parachute jumps.

(With PTI inputs)