Indian Air Force chief P.V. Naik on Monday said he would seek special permission from the government so that World Cup winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar could experience a flight of (Sukhoi) Su-30MKI — the best fighter plane of the IAF.
“Sachin Tendulkar is already our Honorary Group Captain. Once both Sachin and Dhoni are free from their cricketing engagements, I will ensure that they get to fly Su-30MKI. They have done our country proud and it will be an honour for us,” the IAF chief told PTI.
Air Chief Marshal Naik said that as of now there were no plans of awarding any honorary post to the Indian captain like Tendulkar.
Dhoni, who was accompanied by his wife Sakshi, was there at the Air Force chief's residence here for over an hour as he interacted with senior officers.
The meeting with Air Chief Marshal Naik was organised by the former Indian team manager, Wing Commander M. Baladitya.
Air Chief Marshal Naik presented Dhoni with a plaque on behalf of the Indian Air Force.
The skipper and his wife were at ease as they interacted and answered various cricketing queries.
When the wives of the senior officers congratulated the couple, Sakshi said, “You all supported the team. Congratulate yourselves.”
Someone asked about his bald look, and the skipper said with a smile, “I thought the World Cup is over, so let's just get it off.”
Dhoni was seen asking the IAF chief, a veteran fighter pilot, about his flying experience. “I used to fly MiG-21, MiG-23 during my days,” Air Chief Marshal Naik said.
The Indian captain patiently answered all the cricketing queries although it was evident that he would now like a few days away from cricket. “IPL will be very hectic,” he admitted.
Highest bid for ball
Meanwhile, fans are rushing to collect memorabilia being auctioned by the International Cricket Council.
After hitting the winning stroke, even Dhoni couldn't help running to take a stump as a souvenir of the historic final match. Now, the very ball that he smashed for a six has received a highest bid of $ 47,800 (over Rs. 21 lakh) so far.
At the same time, the final match toss coin, which has also been auctioned by the ICC, has received a highest bid of $ 25,800 (around Rs. 11.5 lakh) with just one day left for the auction to close.
According to the ICC's auction website, the final match ball has already received 52 bids since the auction started on March 21. It will close on April 6.
On the other hand, the toss coin, for which the auction started on February 17, has witnessed 63 bids so far. The auction will close on Tuesday.
Besides the ball and the coins, other items such as bats signed by Indian cricketers and a replica trophy are also being sold by the ICC.
While the autographed bats are tagged at a fixed price of $ 499, a replica trophy is tagged at $ 79. A lithograph signed by Dhoni is being sold for $ 199. — PTI
