Cricketers in Uniforms

MS Dhoni (Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, Parachute Regiment, Indian Army)






"It's a real honour as I have always wanted to be part of the Indian Army. It's something that I always wanted to achieve as a kid and now that I have donned the olive greens, my dream has been fulfilled," said India's most successful captain, one who had won just about every major tournament there is to win on the competitive international circuit.

Dhoni life-long fascination with the military is well-documented. Even before he was conferred the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Parachute Regiment in 2011, he had revealed about his interest in reading about weapons, tanks and combat. When the opportunity presented itself post India's 2011 World Cup win to form an association with the territorial army of India, Dhoni jumped at the chance.


Dhoni wasn't in it just for the rank, he wanted to earn his stripes. Test retirement opened up his schedule and the affable Indian keeper-batsman duly joined the training at Paratroopers Training School in Agra and successfully completed his maiden jump, off an AN-32 aircraft, from a height of 1250 feet. Dhoni has already entered the army shooting range and undergone complete arms training and hopes to serve the country as a military officer, whenever required to do so by the army.


Sachin Tendulkar (Group Captain, Indian Air Force)






Sachin Tendulkar, possibly India's greatest sporting icon, was conferred honorary position of Group Captain by the Indian Air Force in 2010 for his contribution to the country. He became the first sportsperson to be given a rank by the IAF. Through its association with the iconic player, the airforce wing of the Indian armed forces hoped to motivate the younger generation of the country to join its wing towards contributing to the nation.

"It was a wishful thinking and it has come true today. I'm extremely proud to be a part of IAF. I want to urge the youth to join air force and serve the nation. So dream, because dreams do come true," Tendulkar had said after receiving the honour from Air Chief Marshal PV Naik. After being felicitated with the rank, Tendulkar went through a process of familiarization with the IAF and underwent training in basic military practices and drills.


Shane Bond (New Zealand Police)





Fast, furious and fascinating - That was Shane Bond, in the Black Caps' jersey on the cricketing field. But cricket wasn't his first love. One of the world's fastest bowlers was trained in the art of discipline, fitness and mental strength during his stint as a policeman in Christchurch. The self confidence he gained in his position as a uniformed officer transformed him into one of the most fearsome fast bowler's in the international circuit in early 2000s.

"While I was in the police, I had to deal with a lot of uncomfortable situations. You're just thrust into them and you've to deal with crime and victims of crime. My attitude changed and I think you could see that mental strength in my game. I think that time spent as a cop really helped me," said Bond who had to muster every ounce of mental strength to make national team comebacks even as injuries continued to pillage his international career.

Joginder Sharma (Haryana Police)


(Pic credit: Joginder Sharma Twitter)



Little-known Joginder Sharma shot into instant stardom in India when he bowled that crucial final over, dismissing Misbah-ul-Haq as India won the inaugural World T20 in South Africa in 2007. But in a country brimming with cricketing talent, Joginder possessed no x-factor to sustain a place in the national side. Nine years later, the unassuming medium-pacer has seamlessly switched from the India blue to the khaki of Haryana Police.

Joginder received a job with the force after his exploits at the World T20 and despite not featuring in another T20I since that historic game in Johannesburg, he managed to climb up the ladder in his alternate career and is now a Deputy Superintendent of Police.