Dhoni parachutes as part of army drill in Agra

Indian one-day cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni made his maiden parachute jump from an Indian Air Force aircraft as part of his training with the Territorial Army on Wednesday near Agra.

Dhoni had been undergoing training at the Paratroopers Training School for the last few days before taking the plunge.

Dhoni, an honorary lieutenant colonel in Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army, decided to undergo the drill to justify his rank.

A member of the dropping zone safety team, Jayveer Singh, said Dhoni was due to undertake more such parachute jumps which he said would be decided later.

"M.S. Dhoni jumped at around 7 a.m. It was his first jump. His next jump will be decided later. Till now, there will be no further jumps," said Singh.

The ace cricketer underwent two weeks of classroom lessons followed by basic toughening exercises along with fellow paratrooper trainees.

Dhoni was conferred the rank of lieutenant in the Territorial Army by former army chief General V K Singh in 2011. General (Retired) Singh is now the Minister of State for External Affairs.