Retired Lt Gen. Vinod Bhatia, a veteran of the Indian Army, recalled the time when ex-Indian captain MS Dhoni was about to be bestowed with an honorary rank, and how, despite being ‘reluctant’, Dhoni’s behaviour and march like a soldier won him over.&nbsp;MS Dhoni’s aura stretches beyond boundary lines. Mr Cool, Dhoni was known for his calm demeanour and always keeping the nation ahead, with countless instances and narrations (from his ex-teammates) proving it. For his list of achievements for his country, including winning the T20 and ODI World Cups, the Indian Army awarded him with an honorary rank and the coveted Maroon Beret. However, the decision to grant him the same met with initial scepticism.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2026-csk-suffer-major-setback-as-ayush-mhatre-ruled-out-due-to-hamstring-injury-1776765103908">IPL 2026: CSK suffer major setback as Ayush Mhatre ruled out due to hamstring injury</a> &nbsp;During a podcast, Bhatia revealed how he was initially reluctant to see MS Dhoni receive this rank, questioning whether a civilian could truly uphold the prestige of a paratrooper. But after seeing him complete the rigorous para-training, Bhatia’s opinion changed. &nbsp;"Our chief at the time was General VK Singh," Bhatia said. “He decided that MS Dhoni, who was the Indian team captain then, should be given an honorary rank. I was a bit reluctant. The Maroon Beret is very prestigious; to become a paratrooper, one must undergo six months of probation. It is incredibly tough, with a selection rate of only 20%, and the goal is to break your will. Giving the Maroon Beret to someone without that probation felt wrong.”<h3>‘Done a lot for our country’</h3>Praising his patriotism and his long list of accolades, Bhatia said, "MS Dhoni has done a lot for the country. I am very proud of him and his achievements. They call him 'Captain Cool,' and he possesses immense passion. He even admitted to me that he was afraid of heights, yet he still went ahead and jumped. He completed his paratrooper jumps and always upheld the dignity of the uniform. He behaved and marched like a soldier; I could feel that he was a true soldier at heart. Furthermore, he served in Jammu and Kashmir with our units, travelling right up to the Line of Control. His motivation was truly remarkable.” &nbsp;Meanwhile, MS Dhoni, who is recovering from the side strain he suffered ahead of the start of IPL 2026, holds an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army (106 Para TA Battalion), conferred in 2011, the same year he guided Team India to their second ODI World Cup, and first since 1983. &nbsp;‘Thala’, often referred to by his fans, is also permitted to wear the elite maroon beret and the Para Wing insignia, having qualified as a paratrooper in 2015 after completing five parachute training jumps.

“He marched like a soldier.” Retired Lt Gen. Vinod Bhatia explains why he was initially sceptical of MS Dhoni’s honorary Army rank and how the legendary captain eventually earned the respect of the elite Paratroopers.

Retired Lt Gen. Vinod Bhatia, a veteran of the Indian Army, recalled the time when ex-Indian captain MS Dhoni was about to be bestowed with an honorary rank, and how, despite being ‘reluctant’, Dhoni’s behaviour and march like a soldier won him over. MS Dhoni’s aura stretches beyond boundary lines. Mr Cool, Dhoni was known for his calm demeanour and always keeping the nation ahead, with countless instances and narrations (from his ex-teammates) proving it. For his list of achievements for his country, including winning the T20 and ODI World Cups, the Indian Army awarded him with an honorary rank and the coveted Maroon Beret. However, the decision to grant him the same met with initial scepticism. Also read | IPL 2026: CSK suffer major setback as Ayush Mhatre ruled out due to hamstring injury During a podcast, Bhatia revealed how he was initially reluctant to see MS Dhoni receive this rank, questioning whether a civilian could truly uphold the prestige of a paratrooper. But after seeing him complete the rigorous para-training, Bhatia’s opinion changed. "Our chief at the time was General VK Singh," Bhatia said. “He decided that MS Dhoni, who was the Indian team captain then, should be given an honorary rank. I was a bit reluctant. The Maroon Beret is very prestigious; to become a paratrooper, one must undergo six months of probation. It is incredibly tough, with a selection rate of only 20%, and the goal is to break your will. Giving the Maroon Beret to someone without that probation felt wrong.” ‘Done a lot for our country’ Praising his patriotism and his long list of accolades, Bhatia said, "MS Dhoni has done a lot for the country. I am very proud of him and his achievements. They call him 'Captain Cool,' and he possesses immense passion. He even admitted to me that he was afraid of heights, yet he still went ahead and jumped. He completed his paratrooper jumps and always upheld the dignity of the uniform. He behaved and marched like a soldier; I could feel that he was a true soldier at heart. Furthermore, he served in Jammu and Kashmir with our units, travelling right up to the Line of Control. His motivation was truly remarkable.” Meanwhile, MS Dhoni, who is recovering from the side strain he suffered ahead of the start of IPL 2026, holds an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army (106 Para TA Battalion), conferred in 2011, the same year he guided Team India to their second ODI World Cup, and first since 1983. ‘Thala’, often referred to by his fans, is also permitted to wear the elite maroon beret and the Para Wing insignia, having qualified as a paratrooper in 2015 after completing five parachute training jumps.

“He marched like a soldier.” Retired Lt Gen. Vinod Bhatia explains why he was initially sceptical of MS Dhoni’s honorary Army rank and how the legendary captain eventually earned the respect of the elite Paratroopers.

Beyond the Boundary: How MS Dhoni earned the uniform’s respect, Army veteran explains

One of the most successful captains and wicket-keeper batters to have graced the game, MS Dhoni donned the Indian jersey for one final time on this day in 2019. The former India captain's last appearance for the Men in Blue came in the semi-final of the 2019 ODI World Cup against New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester where he scored a gritty half-century but failed to help India qualify for the final.

The semi-final between India and New Zealand was played over two days due to rain. While India restricted the Kiwis on 239/8 on Day 1, they were not as clinical with the bat during their run-chase on Day 2 and eventually fell short of the 240-run target. It was a woeful batting performance from India with Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja saving them from a terrible collapse.

India lost their top 3 of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli for a combined total of 3 runs before Dinesh Karthik was sent packing on 6 off 25 balls leaving the team reeling on 24/4 in the 240-run chase. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya then combined to steady the ship but failed to build a good partnership.

Jadeja then joined forces with Dhoni in the middle to produce a sensational rescue act for India. The all-rounder notched up a cracking 77 off 59 balls to add 116 runs for the 7th wicket with Dhoni before being dismissed in the 48th over.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-probably-wouldnt-be-there-if-i-had-to-pick-a-t20-team-says-ajay-jadeja-496095">Virat Kohli probably wouldn't be there if I had to pick a T20 team, says Ajay Jadeja</a>

With 36 required off the last 12 balls, the onus was on Dhoni to finish the game but the veteran wicket-keeper batter was run-out by a stunning throw from Martin Guptill in the 49th over. His dismissal confirmed India's exit from the World Cup and it also turned out to be his last appearance for India in international cricket.

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Dhoni went on to announce his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020, to bring curtains on an illustrious career spanning over 15 years. He remains the only captain to have won all three major ICC white-ball trophies for India. He won the T20 World Cup in 2007, ODI World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/derbyshires-mattie-mckiernan-creates-world-record-for-most-expensive-4-over-spell-in-t20-cricket-history-496042">Derbyshire's Mattie McKiernan creates world record for most expensive 4-over spell in T20 cricket&nbsp;</a>

He played 90 Tests and 350 ODIs in his glorious career amassing 4,876 and 10,773 runs in the two formats respectively. He holds the record for leading India in most ODIs with 200 matches under his belt as captain and is also holds the record for most matches as captain (332) across all three formats in the world.&nbsp;

One of the most successful captains and wicket-keeper batters to have graced the game, MS Dhoni donned the Indian jersey for one final time on this day in 2019. The former India captain's last appearance for the Men in Blue came in the semi-final of the 2019 ODI World Cup against New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester where he scored a gritty half-century but failed to help India qualify for the final.

One of the most successful captains and wicket-keeper batters to have graced the game, MS Dhoni donned the Indian jersey for one final time on this day in 2019. The former India captain's last appearance for the Men in Blue came in the semi-final of the 2019 ODI World Cup against New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester where he scored a gritty half-century but failed to help India qualify for the final. The semi-final between India and New Zealand was played over two days due to rain. While India restricted the Kiwis on 239/8 on Day 1, they were not as clinical with the bat during their run-chase on Day 2 and eventually fell short of the 240-run target. It was a woeful batting performance from India with Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja saving them from a terrible collapse. India lost their top 3 of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli for a combined total of 3 runs before Dinesh Karthik was sent packing on 6 off 25 balls leaving the team reeling on 24/4 in the 240-run chase. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya then combined to steady the ship but failed to build a good partnership. Jadeja then joined forces with Dhoni in the middle to produce a sensational rescue act for India. The all-rounder notched up a cracking 77 off 59 balls to add 116 runs for the 7th wicket with Dhoni before being dismissed in the 48th over. Also Read: Virat Kohli probably wouldn't be there if I had to pick a T20 team, says Ajay Jadeja With 36 required off the last 12 balls, the onus was on Dhoni to finish the game but the veteran wicket-keeper batter was run-out by a stunning throw from Martin Guptill in the 49th over. His dismissal confirmed India's exit from the World Cup and it also turned out to be his last appearance for India in international cricket. × Dhoni went on to announce his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020, to bring curtains on an illustrious career spanning over 15 years. He remains the only captain to have won all three major ICC white-ball trophies for India. He won the T20 World Cup in 2007, ODI World Cup in 2011 and the Champions Trophy in 2013. Also Read: Derbyshire's Mattie McKiernan creates world record for most expensive 4-over spell in T20 cricket He played 90 Tests and 350 ODIs in his glorious career amassing 4,876 and 10,773 runs in the two formats respectively. He holds the record for leading India in most ODIs with 200 matches under his belt as captain and is also holds the record for most matches as captain (332) across all three formats in the world.

On this day in 2019: MS Dhoni's last match for India ends in a heart-breaking World Cup defeat

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Beyond the Boundary: How MS Dhoni earned the uniform’s respect, Army veteran explains

On this day in 2019: MS Dhoni's last match for India ends in a heart-breaking World Cup defeat