India captain MS Dhoni receives death threats

Dhoni has received similar threats before (Getty Images)

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been given extra police security following terrorist threats.

The 30-year-old is in his home town Ranchi with wife Sakshi. Police are said to be following them for further protection.

India Today reported that threats were from terrorists and Maoists within the country. The latter saw their leader Koteshwar Roa killed in November and have subsequently blown up railway tracks in Ranchi’s state, Jharkhand.

“We are not taking any chances. There are inputs of threats to Dhoni from the Maoists and terrorist groups. Based on the input we are taking appropriate measures to beef up the security of Dhoni,” a police official told the Indo-Asian News Service.

“We have received directives from the police headquarters to beef up Dhoni’s security. Commandos of Jharkhand Armed Police will be deployed.”

Dhoni is no stranger to receiving extra police support. In 2007 Maoist rebels sent a death threat through the post for Dhoni and national team mate Rahul Dravid while his house was guarded following similar pressure in 2009.