MS Dhoni's active Army duty in Kashmir approved, will join 106 Territorial Army on July 31

MS Dhoni will join para regiment on July 31 and will be a part of 106 Territorial Army Battalion (Para) till August 19, informed army. In a major development, MS Dhoni had earlier announced that he would be unavailable for the upcoming Windies trip and would serve the Indian Army. Confirming his request, the Indian Army Headquarters on Thursday said that he will train with the unit in Kashmir valley and will be taking the duties of patrolling, guard and post duty. They further informed that MS Dhoni who holds a Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary)  shall be staying with troops.

MS DHONI AND THE ARMY: 

Dhoni is a part of Indian territorial army's 106th Battalon (para). The World Cup 2011 winning skipper is a part of TA's 106th Infantry Battalion and was awarded the honorary rank of  Lieutenant Colonel in 2011. Known as the Captain Cool, MS Dhoni also trained with the para regiment after he was given the honorary rank in 2011 in Agra and has completed five parachute jumps. Dhoni has more than once expressed his desire to serve army. "Once my cricket career is over, I would definitely like to serve in the Army," he had said. 

Earlier, business tycoon Anand Mahindra shared a video of Dhoni attending a meeting with the Armed Forces. In the video, Dhoni can be seen in military uniform, as he steps outside his vehicle, he salutes the army personnel in the training camp. Here is the video:

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MS DHONI'S RETIREMENT SPECULATION POST WORLD-CUP LOSS:

With the World Cup loss of India, it is speculated that MS Dhoni might retire from his cricket carrer, however, brushing aside the speculations his partner Arun Pandey said that he has no plans to retire. "He has no immediate plans to retire. The constant speculation over the future of a great player like him is unfortunate," said Pandey. Pandey has been Dhoni’s long time friend and also manages Dhoni’s business interests.

Known for being one of the best 'finisher' in the limited overs formats, India under his captaincy has won the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. A right-handed middle-order batsman and wicket-keeper, Dhoni has scored more than 10,000 One Day Internationals (ODIs) runs. 

DHONI'S GLOVE CONTROVERSY:

A controversy broke out after Dhoni was spotted wearing a glove with Army insignia the 'Balidaan Badge' on it while he was stumping Andile Phehlukwayo in India's opener against South Africa in the World Cup. The ICC opposed Dhoni wearing the glove citing its rules that 'ICC events do not permit any individual message or logo to be displayed on any items of clothing or equipment' inviting sharp criticism from all over the country. The BCCI was forced to write to the ICC. But the International Cricket Council (ICC) asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to get the symbol removed from Dhoni's gloves. Here is the picture of the gloves that was later removed by Dhoni. 

READ: MS Dhoni makes himself unavailable for Windies tour amidst retirement speculations, to serve his paramilitary regiment