Till yesterday, it was Kapil Dev, the former captain of the 1983 World Cup winning Indian cricket team. Today (Sep 24), it is Lieutenant Colonel Kapil Dev of India's Territorial Army (TA).

"I am today proud to wear an Army uniform and at this age to serve the country in this uniform is a proud moment for me," Kapil Dev said soon after he was formally commissioned into the Punjab Regiment of the citizen's army in New Delhi.

The honours were done by Army chief General Deepak Kapoor himself at the Defence Ministry headquarters, South Block, and Kapil accepted the commissioning, coming to attention and smartly saluting, as perfectly as a professional army officer would.

"I was very happy and delighted to serve in cricket. Now I am equally happy and more proud to wear my country's Army uniform. I hope and am sure I can serve them to the best of my abilities," Kapil told reporters at a TA function to mark its 59th anniversary.

The legendary cricketer has inspired thousands of youth in the country to pick up a bat and a ball. Today, as a Lt. Col in the army, Kapil hopes to inspire them to don the Olive Green and to protect the country.

"If Kapil has the vigour to join and serve the Army now, then I am sure there will be several youngsters who will be inspired by him to join the Army. He is TA's Brand Ambassador and we will use his services to get more youth to serve in Olive Green," TA Additional Director General Major General K V S Lalorra told reporters, introducing the newly commissioned Kapil Dev as a Lt Colonel.

Dev, 50, has been inducted into 150 TA (Infantry) battalion of the Punjab Regiment. But for this moment, Kapil had to prepare for six months before he could pick up his rank. "It was about a year ago that he decided to join the TA after a lot of discussions and knowing about the service. And he has been practising to be an Army officer for the last six months now," Kapil's wife Romi Dev said. 

Even after he arrived at the decision, it took another six months before he could formally be commissioned into TA. "I thank the President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Home Ministry, Delhi Government and the Police for this honour. I suppose that's how the file moved, which I never know before, and it took them almost six months for me to become a Colonel," Kapil said.
    
Talking about the importance he attached to wearing the Army uniform, the cricketer-turn-colonel said: "I served the country in a different manner in white uniform earlier. I already have the passion to serve the country. May be that was the first innings and this is the second innings. I would like to serve as best as I can."

Asked whether he would wield a Kalashnikov rifle against the nation's enemies, instead of his potent cricket ball that he used so well against batsmen, Kapil said: "How far will I go, only my commander's directive and direction will dictate. I will try my best to serve my country in whichever and whatever manner I can."

The inspiration to join the Army? "Well, which youngster in this country or their parents do not want their children to become either a cricketer or an Army personnel. I am one of them and I certainly have it in me to serve the country. I am fortunate to be able to serve in both whites and Olive Greens," Kapil added.

(With inputs from PTI)