Kapil Dev commissioned as Lieutenant Colonel in Army

New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev, who led India to the 1983 World Cup win, was today commissioned in the Territorial Army (TA) as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel.

''Kapil has been commissioned as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army (TA),'' a Defence official said.

The 50-year-old Kapil was inducted into the 150 TA (Infantry) battalion of the Punjab Regiment.

Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor, himself has piped the badgets of rank on Kapil's shoulders at a ceremony in the Army headquarters in the presence of TA Additional Director General Major General K V S Lalotra.

''This is my second innings. Earlier I used to fight for the country in my white uniform and now I will do the same in this Green Army uniform,'' Kapil said after the ceremony.

As the Army is facing a major crunch in the officer cadre, Kapil's induction will help in attracting more talented and young people, the official said.

Kapil, who is also the chairman of the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL), might just face a tough time against the ''original'' Colonel of Indian cricket Dilip Vengsarkar who is the selection chairman in the BCCI.

UNI PY RAR NS2153