Indian cricket star Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday joined troops in the militancy-hit south Kashmir to carry out patrolling, guard duties and other responsibilities just like other soldiers are doing daily.Dhoni, an honorary lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army (TA) will be staying with his 106 TA Battalion (Para) till August 15 and undertake duties with the troops,officials said.”Lt Col Dhoni arrived here today and has joined his unit which is deployed in the militancy-hit south Kashmir region as part of Victor Force. Former Indian cricket team 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 and is also a qualified paratrooper after having completed five parachute training jumps.
Dhoni, wicket-keeper-batsman has been conferred the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third highest civilian award.Amid mounting speculation about his retirement after India’s semi-final exit from the 2019 World Cup, Dhoni had informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that 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 TA is a part of the Army and 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.
