Former India cricket team captain MS Dhoni received Padma Bhushan on Monday, along with 19-time World Champion snooker player Pankaj Advani. The veteran cricketer made the moment special by receiving the award in his Lieutenant Colonel avatar, wearing the uniform of Indian Army.

April 2 has become special for the 36-year-old. After guiding India to World Cup victory in 2011, he received country's third highest civilian award in 2018 on the same date.

When his name was called at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Dhoni walked like an army personnel and was handed over the award by the President Ram Nath Kovind. His wife Sakshi Dhoni was also present there clapping for her man.

Dhoni expressed his proudness on social media. Dhoni thanked the men and women in uniform for their service to this country. He subtly dedicated it to the forces of this country.

Sharing the pics he wrote, "An honour to get the Padma Bhushan and receiving it in Uniform increases the excitement ten folds.thanks to all the Men and Women in Uniform and their families for the Sacrifices they make so that all of us could enjoy our Constitutional Rights.Jai Hind."

The Indian Territorial Army had conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel to Dhoni on November 1, 2011, months after India won their second World Cup under his leadership.

Dhoni had received Padma Shree in 2009.