Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday said he would “definitely” want to serve the Army actively once he bids adieu to the game.
Dhoni, who was inducted as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the elite Parachute Regiment last year, is here to visit the forward area of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region and also visit the base camp of Siachen, the world's highest battlefield.
“Why I got here is because of cricket. I would like to serve actively in the Army only after cricket. I don't want my cricket to suffer because that is something I am good at. Once my cricket career is over, I would definitely like to serve in the Army,” Dhoni told journalists.
The World Cup winning captain will visit the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur on Sunday before leaving for Srinagar on a tour of 15 Corps. From there, he will head for the 14 Corps area in Leh and also the Siachen base camp.
He will visit north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Sunday to witness the final of the first phase of Kashmir Premier League at the Shaukat Ali Stadium.
“I will try to go to the frontline. It is very exciting because I will get to see the challenges the officers face. Now I am getting to know the Army from close quarters. This is the first time I have come to a forward post,” he said.
Dhoni will also interact with the families of the Army officers here.
“Families [of the army officers] come here at this time of the year and I will get a chance to interact with them and I am sure the next few days would be exciting,” he said.
On the oft-repeated issue of India-Pakistan bilateral cricket ties, Dhoni said: “It is important to make a start because sports is something that breaks barriers. The two boards have to decide when they decide to play each other. I have to go out there and play. So we will wait and see.”
