Dhoni will be protecting citizens now, says Army chief General Bipin Rawat

Dhoni, who is also an honorary Lt Colonel in the Territorial Army, will carry out his duties until August 15.

India wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is also an honorary Lt Colonel in the Territorial Army, had earlier made himself unavailable for the upcoming West Indies tour.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat, on Friday, said that former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who will be joining the 106 Territorial Army Battalion (Para) on July 31, will not be needing protection because it will be the cricketer, who would now be protecting the citizens of the country instead.

Speaking to NDTV on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Rawat said, "Well, when a citizen of India dons the military uniform he also has to be prepared to fulfil the task for which the uniform has been assigned to him.

READ: Dhoni to perform guard duties, patrolling with troops during Territorial Army training in Kashmir

"I think MS Dhoni has carried out his basic training. We know he will be able to accomplish the task. Infact he will be protecting a lot of other people because now he will be performing with the 106 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army of the Parachute Regiment."

Elaborating on what Dhoni's duties would be like in the Kashmir Valley, Rawat said, "It is a very good battalion. They have been performing LoC duties, static protection and he will be part to it. He will be performing duties like any other official of the 106 Battalion."

Dhoni, who is also an honorary Lt Colonel in the Territorial Army, will carry out his duties until August 15. It was due to this reason that the 38-year-old made himself unavailable for the upcoming West Indies tour.