Asian Window

Andrew Buncombe in The Independent:

Mahendra Singh Dhoni

When the India cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni went for a haircut in his home town of Ranchi a couple of years ago, so many adoring female fans showed up that the police had to be called.

So when it was announced that he would be returning home once again for three weeks’ rest, the local police decided to take pre-emptive action. Their solution for dealing with the unwanted attention? Give him his own team of female bodyguards.

The 15-strong squad of commandos that have been assigned to protect the player have recently completed training that included warfare and counter-insurgency tactics. Now they will be required to protect the cricketer from fans who will not leave him alone. “It’s certainly an enviable assignment,” one of the giggling female officers told The Times of India as they stood on guard outside the player’s bungalow. “Especially since many of our colleagues are usually assigned to escort politicians.”

More:

Similar Posts:

• The Shopian botch-up
• Why India have been missing a Srinath at home
• Subdued but unbowed
• Batman forever
• The making of Imran