FORMER India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Thursday (10) hailed the induction of Rafale jets into the Indian Air Force, saying the "potent bird's lethality will only increase" in the hands of IAF pilots.
Even if so for a brief while, cricket was meant to take a back seat for the honorary lieutenant colonel in India's Territorial Army, who holds dear anything that is related to the military.
An excited Dhoni promptly expressed his delight at five Rafale fighter jets being formally inducted into the 17 Squadron of the IAF at the Ambala air base at a ceremony attended by Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh and his French counterpart, Florence Parly.
Rafale is the first imported fighter jet to be inducted into service since the Sukhoi-30s from Russia in the late 90s.
"In the hands of our pilots and the mix of different aircrafts with the IAF the potent bird's lethality will only increase," Dhoni tweeted.
Dhoni, who recently brought to an end his glorious international cricket career, wished the squadron good luck, adding that Su30MKI remained his favourite jet.
Dhoni, 39, is currently in Dubai and is preparing to lead his team Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League beginning on September 19. The had been moved to the UAE because of rising Covid-19 cases in India.
Zia Yusuf looks on during the party's national conference at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, Britain, September 5, 2025. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
