MS Dhoni to be deployed in Kashmir Valley for 15 days with his territorial Army as part of his training set to begin from July 31.
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It’s official. Former Team India captain MS Dhoni, who as promised, had begun with his training duties at a battalion in Bengaluru on Wednesday, will now as per the recent reports be deployed in the Kashmir Valley with his territorial Army for fifteen days.
Earlier, Indian Army chief Gen. Bipin Rawat had approved Dhoni’s request to commence with his training with the Parachute regiment, as the veteran wicket-keeper batsman had decided to opt out of the limited overs series versus West Indies beginning from August 3.
A Lieutenant Colonel (honorary) in the Parachute regiment, MS Dhoni will proceed to 106 TA Battalion (Para) with the battalion from July 31- August 15, 2019.
The unit which the 38-year-old would be serving is in the Kashmir Valley as part of the Victor force. Upon requested by the officer, and approved by the Army headquarters, Dhoni will be carrying on the patrolling, guard, and post duties as part of his training activities.
An Honorary post, but Dhoni mandated to spend two months with his unit
If one is an officer of the territorial Army, and despite Dhoni holding an Honorary officer post (Lieutenant Colonel), the 38-year-old is mandated to spend at least two months with his unit in a year.
This is the same request that the former India captain had put in before his chief, post the 2019 World Cup- to serve his unit for two months- the same which has been approved, and he will be serving his unit in Jammu and Kashmir.
Dhoni will not be involved in combat operations
This does not mean that Dhoni will be involved in combat operations or anti-terrorism operations. He will, as aforementioned would be doing the patrolling, guard, and post duties with the rest of his troops.
Dhoni’s decision to serve his regiment was well on cards for quite a while. “Just like Dhoni has been one of the greatest servants of Indian cricket, his love for the armed forces is also well known. This idea that he would go and spend time with his regiment was in the pipeline for a while but it took a backseat due to his cricketing commitments”, sources said during his training in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
As per the sources, the 38-year-old wishes to create awareness about the armed forces amongst the youth. And this is the prime motive for his decision to serve the Army. Dhoni has time and again expressed his love for the Army and had even stated in the past that he would have been serving his Army had Cricket not happened to him.
“This will also help increase awareness among the youth about the armed forces and that is what Dhoni wants,” the source said.
