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MS Dhoni Expands His Legacy Beyond Cricket, Officially Becomes DGCA-Certified Pilot

admin | October 8, 2025 12:22 AM CST

It is no secret that MS Dhoni loves machines. The former India captain has always been fascinated by engines and technology, whether it is riding his vintage automobiles or speeding through Ranchi on one of his superbikes.

He has now added flying drones to his list of accomplishments. Dhoni made his official drone pilot license announcement on social media on Tuesday, October 8. One of the top drone manufacturers in India, Garuda Aerospace, announced that its investor and brand ambassador had successfully finished his drone pilot training at the company's DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organisation in Chennai. More than 2,500 prospective pilots have received instruction from Garuda Aerospace under the guidance of knowledgeable instructors. The founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, commented on Dhoni's most recent accomplishment: "Having our brand ambassador and investor, MS Dhoni, personally undergo the training and get certified as a pilot is a monumental milestone for us. He picked it up very quickly and was extremely focused on learning. His belief in our mission to revolutionise the drone industry is a massive source of encouragement for the entire team. Mahi Bhai is an inspiration, and his hands-on approach validates our commitment to skill and innovation in this sector."

Dhoni has consistently expressed a wish to pursue interests outside of cricket. In 2011, he received the honorary title of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army's Parachute Regiment (106 Para TA Battalion), demonstrating his admiration for the military. The legendary batter served with the Victor Force in Jammu and Kashmir for 15 days in 2019 with his battalion, performing tasks including patrolling and guard duty. After making five parachute jumps from a C-130J Super Hercules plane, he eventually earned his certification as a trained paratrooper. Dhoni has only played in the Indian Premier League since he retired from international cricket in 2020, and he still leads the Chennai Super Kings there. He has occupied himself off the field with a variety of hobbies, ranging from golf and badminton to farming and vintage cars. Recently, Dhoni was seen playing golf in the US, even going out to the same course as former US President Donald Trump. He has been spotted operating tractors and growing strawberries at his Ranchi farmhouse, which is entirely consistent with his image as a person who never stops growing, learning, and maintaining his sense of reality.