India wicket-keeper batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni was conferred India’s third highest civilian award – Padma Bhushan – at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday.

Dhoni, along with multiple world-champion cueist Pankaj Advani, were honoured for their contribution to sport and the country.

Dhoni chose to attend the ceremony as an armyman and not a civilian. The 37-year-old holds the ceremonial rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Territorial Army. He was awarded the rank in 2011 after leading India to their second World Cup win.

Interestingly, Dhoni was given the civilian award on April 2, which is the same day he won the World Cup for India with a six in Mumbai seven years ago.