MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni (Credits: Twitter)

Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni has finally started his two-week long army stint from on Wednesday (July 31). The Honorary Lieutenant Colonel will serve the Para Regiment of the Indian Army in Kashmir. The World Cup-winning India cricketer has been deployed in the Valley as part of Victor Force.

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As soon as Dhoni joined the unit, images of him went viral on social media. The World Cup-winning skipper was seen talking with the troops and was also seen signing bats in one of the images. Dhoni, who is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army,  will be performing the duties of patrolling, guard and post duty with his 106 TA Battalion (Para) from July 31 to August 15.

MS Dhoni Starts Army Stint In Kashmir, Photos Go Viral
MS Dhoni

Dhoni is a qualified paratrooper after completing parachute training jumps from Indian Army aircrafts at the Agra training camp.

“Lt. Col. MS Dhoni arrived here today and has joined his unit,” one of the officials told The Times of India.

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Last month, the India Army had approved Dhoni’s request to train with the Para Regiment. The decision had come on the back of India’s exit from the World Cup. Dhoni has taken a 2-month sabbatical from international cricket duties to serve the army. As a result of the break, he was not considered for selection for India’s tour of the West Indies.

Speculations are rife over Dhoni’s future in international cricket. There were rumours that Dhoni might announce his retirement at the end of the World Cup but the legendary player has managed to take the focus off himself by taking the break. The BCCI has not given a clear cut statement on Dhoni’s future but chief selector MSK Prasad has made it clear that the wicketkeeper-batsman would retire on his own terms.

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“Retirement is purely individual. A legendary cricketer like MS Dhoni… he knows when to retire. But as far as the future roadmap is considered, that is in the hands of the selectors,” Prasad had said while announcing the squad.

Dhoni is likely to make a comeback to the team when South Africa visit India in September.