Will Dhoni and Tendulkar be called to the frontlines if India-Pakistan war breaks out?

As tensions soar between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, fears of a potential war are mounting. Military activities have intensified along the borders, though neither nation has officially declared military action yet. Amidst this uncertainty, an interesting question has surfaced: Could cricket legends like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar end up defending the nation on the battlefield?

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Both Dhoni and Tendulkar hold honorary ranks in the Indian Armed Forces. Dhoni serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army’s Territorial Army, while Tendulkar has been conferred the rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force.

They are not alone. Many notable personalities — including Kapil Dev, shooter Abhinav Bindra, politician Anurag Thakur, Sachin Pilot, and actors Mohanlal and Nana Patekar — have been inducted into the Territorial Army.

The Territorial Army is distinct from the regular army. It is a voluntary reserve force comprising citizens aged between 18 and 42, who are medically fit. While they usually serve during emergencies, they have seen action in major conflicts like the 1962, 1965, 1971, and 1999 wars.

In times of need, the Territorial Army acts as the second line of defense. Thus, if a full-scale war erupts and the situation demands, iconic figures like Dhoni and Tendulkar could indeed be called upon to serve the nation beyond the cricket field.