An evening with Territorial Army: When Indian cricketers visited 124 Sikh Battalion headquarters

Marking the onset of Diwali season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Anurag Thakur along with cricketers Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Kedar Jadhav and Manish Pandey visited the headquarters of the 124 Sikh Battalion Territorial Army here on Wednesday.

To make the evening special, the children of army officers were also invited, who played a friendly bowl out session with the players and with the BCCI chief.

Commenting at the event, Anurag Thakur said in a release: "It is a matter of great pride and honour to be a part of the Territorial Army. An evening spent with my Army brothers has marked the perfect beginning of the forthcoming festive season."

"I am sure Ajinkya, Rohit, Kedar and Manish had a great time interacting with the officers & jawans and playing a friendly knock with the children. On behalf of the BCCI, I would like to express gratitude to 124 Sikh Battalion for hosting us and giving us the opportunity to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who always stand strong to safeguard our motherland," he added.

Thakur also became the first serving BJP Member of Parliament to become a regular commissioned Officer in the Territorial army on July 29 of this year.

Batsman Rahane also echoed Thakur's words saying: "It is a great feeling to have the president of the board as the member of the Territorial Army. I would like to thank Lt. Anurag Thakur for bringing all of us here and giving us the opportunity to stand shoulder to shoulder with the protectors of our country."

(With inputs from IANS)