Honourary Lieutenant Colonel and erstwhile cricket captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni, is all set to be deployed to the militancy prone Jammu and Kashmir. The 38-year-old sportsman will be serving with the 106 Para Territorial Army Battalion, which is the TA battalion of the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment. Dhoni is currently undergoing pre-deployment training, with his unit. During his 15 day stint in the Valley, cricket superstar will be taking part in regular patrolling and guard duties.
Videos of the ace athlete polishing his army boots and playing volleyball with the troops went viral. He was also seen signing autographs to soldiers serving in the Valley.
Citizens concerned about their favourite cricketers’ safety had raised questions about protective measures being provided to him by the army. The Army Chief General Bipin Rawat replied to the concerns saying , “I don’t think he will need to protect him; he will protect the citizens and garrison entrusted to his task!”
Dhoni will be serving till August 15 and has taken a two-month break from cricket and will resume his cricket career after this deployment