Senior Indian cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni has joined the Indian Army’s 106 Territorial Army Battalion in Kashmir, where he will serving his paramilitary regiments for about two weeks.
In the first photos of the former India captain in his uniform, the 38-year-old was seen signing a bat with fellow armymen in the background.
During his 15-day stint in the valley starting 1 August, Dhoni – who holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army unit of the Parachute Regiment – will be doing patrolling, guard and post duties, and will also stay with the troops.
In a statement on 25 July, the Indian Army said: "Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) MS Dhoni is proceeding to 106 TA Battalion (Para) for being with the Battalion from 31 Jul-15 Aug 19."
The statement said that the unit will be posted in the Kashmir valley as part of the Victor Force. "As requested by the officer and approved by Army Headquarters; he will be taking on the duties of patrolling, guard and post duty and would be staying with troops," the statement read.
Before the Indian squad for the West Indies series was announced, the former Indian skipper opted out of the series announcing that he would take a two-month sabbatical from cricket.
There were speculations that MS Dhoni would announce his international retirement after the end of the 2019 World Cup. However, neither Indian skipper Virat Kohli nor the team management have given any final word on the development yet.
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