Kapil Dev joins Territorial Army

New Delhi, Sept.24 : Former Indian cricket captain and all-rounder Kapil Dev, was on Wednesday commissioned into the Territorial Army (TA) as an honorary lieutenant colonel.

Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor piped the badges of the rank on the shoulders of Dev, at a ceremony at the Army Headquarters here this afternoon. He was later felicitated at the Territorial Army headquarters mess in the evening in the presence of host of dignitaries who been members of the Territorial Army for years and achieved major milestones in other careers. They included Major (retired) Subir Saha, the former Chairman and Managing Director of the ONGC, and Brigadier K. P. Singh Deo, a former Cabinet Minister, besides others.

"This is my second innings. Earlier I fought for the country in my white uniform. Now, I will do the same in my olive green army uniform," Kapil said proudly.

Kapil, 50, was commissioned into the 150 TA (Infantry) battalion of the Punjab Regiment.

"I am proud I have been given this rank. It took six months for the things to materialise, with the file moving from the home ministry to the defence ministry," said Kapil, as his wife and daughter looked on.

Kapil will also be the brand ambassador of the Territorial Army and help train golfers of the army.

Territorial Army sources said that his induction would help in attracting talent as the army is facing a major officer crunch.

ANI