India's ODI skipper is currently on a break
M.S. Dhoni poses with the elite Para Regiment before making his maiden jump off an aircraft at Agra airbase.
Chennai: Cricket superstar M.S. Dhoni has always expressed keen interest in serving the army after he hangs up his boots and he demonstrated his passion on Wednesday by making his first parachute jump off an aircraft.
After undergoing a two-week training with the elite Para Regiment, the World Cup winner made the jump off an AN-32 aircraft at the Agra airbase on Wednesday morning. He jumped from 1,250 feet and landed on the ground and the voyage was completed in just 70 seconds. Dhoni is expected to do four more jumps.
His profile as an India skipper allowed him access to witness the rigours of Indian Army soldiers. He met the chief of the Army Staff once and told him about his lifelong fascination with the military and he had to take a lot of recommendations through various channels that finished up with the president of the country. Dhoni was finally conferred with an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2011.
"I have made a real study of manoeuvres, of geography and physics, and of mental application to various challenges. I had the choice of four regiments but chose a fifth, the Parachutes, because it is a hundred per cent volunteer regiment. I felt I would be able to contribute more with them later in life. I believe I know enough to justify the honour and was worthy of it. One day I will train with them and I will jump with them too because I am keen to truly earn my wings," Dhoni had said about choice for the Parachute Regiment, in an interview.
Retired from Test cricket, India's ODI skipper is currently on a break as Virat Kohli & Co are playing a three-match series in Sri Lanka. Apart from Dhoni, shooter Abhinav Bindra also shares the same rank. Indian cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar is also an honorary Group Captain in the IAF.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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