BANGALORE: Lt Col (Hon) Mahindra Singh Dhoni, Indian cricket team captain and lone gloveman, might soon land in the Aviation Capital sporting the olive green. It might also be his first official roll call to a regiment as an Army man. Dhoni was pipped-in by Army Chief Gen V K Singh on November 1 and commissioned to Territorial Army (TA). Along with Dhoni, ace shooter Abhinav Bindra too had joined the ranks as TA’s brand ambassador.Army sources told Express that in all likelihood Lt Col (Hon) Dhoni will “report” to 106 Infantry Battalion (TA) Parachute Regiment in Bangalore. “We have got nothing in writing, but there are chances that he will be reporting to TA Para here. Since his is an honorary appointment by President, he doesn’t come under the SOPs (standard operating procedures) of Indian Army,” sources said.The Army had communicated that Dhoni set an example through his unstinted hard work and dedication. Dhoni had said that he always wanted to join the Indian Army and his long-cherished dream came true with the TA call along with Bindra, who is posted to the TA battalion of the Sikh Regiment. An Army spokesperson who spoke to Express from Delhi on Thursday wasn’t sure about Dhoni’s place of posting. “Is it not Agra?” he asked.While TA is confident that Dhoni will inspire youngsters, what remains to be seen is whether “Captain Cool” will find time to propagate their mission. “We are hoping that Dhoni, a true leader, will devote some time soon after the West Indies tour,” Army sources said. A soldier in TA is known as a “Terrier” and any Indian aged between 18 and 42 is eligible for induction after finishing the mandatory formalities. Popularly called as Citizen’s Army, TA job is a part-time opportunity to serve the Indian Army, purely on voluntary basis. The primary job of Terriers is to back Indian Army during emergencies. Whether Dhoni reports to Bangalore or elsewhere, TA has got a precious catch after Kapil Dev as its brand ambassador.
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