Ranchi: India's one day cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has taken on a different role here, recording a message as part of an AIDS awareness campaign.

Dhoni, popularly known as Mahi, spoke of the need to combat AIDS and to promote anti-polio programmes. In a short film, he also exhorted children to study and desist from leaving school.

Praising Dhoni's work, Jharkhand Health Minister Bhanu Pratap Sahi told reporters on Saturday: "Dhoni is getting his voice recorded free of cost when the ad people pay him millions of rupees".

Dhoni, who hails from Ranchi, is Jharkhand's brand ambassador.

"Daily I play cricket for the country, today I will speak about AIDS" is one the slogans that was recorded here on Friday. The recording is likely to go on till Sunday.

"Education is must for self respect. Send your children to school" is a slogan from the film he shot.

The voice recordings will be transmitted through radio including FM stations. The short film will be transmitted through local TV channels and Doordarshan.

Dhoni is now resting at his home here. He opted out of Test series in Sri Lanka as he was exhausted after a long spell of constant cricket. IANS