Agencies
Mumbai, Oct 27: His form may be patchy off late, his captaincy under the scanner, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s brand value has not decreased a bit. Business magazine ‘Forbes’ has recently published a list of international sportspersons with the highest brand value and MSD is fifth on the ‘Fab 40’ list, ahead of superstars Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) and Usain Bolt.
Dhoni will be away from international cricket for some time now after losing the T20 series 0-2 and the ODI series 2-3 against South Africa. India will now play four Tests against the Proteas and Dhoni had announced his retirement from the longest format of the game, earlier in the year. But nevertheless he continues to be the eye candy for marketing agents across the globe.
According to Forbes, the Indian T20 and ODI skipper’s brand value is USD 21 million (approximately Rs 135 crore). He is way ahead of the internationally renowned athlete, Bolt ($18 million) and soccer superstar Ronaldo ($16 million). No other Indian has found a place in the ‘Fab 40’, although Virat Kohli (Test skipper) is rated at 67th with a value of USD six million. In spite of poor form and injuries that have plagued his recent career, Tiger Woods continues to dominate world sports with a brand value of USD 30 million.
Meanwhile, the shooting of the biopic ‘MS Dhoni: Untold Story’ on the World Cup winning skipper, is continuing at full swing in Kharagpur. Actor Sushant Singh Rajput is playing the lead role in the film which is being directed by Niraj Pandey.
Dhoni spent his early days in Khargapur where he spent three years working as a ticket collector for South Eastern Railway. Since he made his international debut in 2004, more or less everything is known about Dhoni. However, it is the period before 2004, that the director is concentrating on, about how Dhoni made it to the top, after overcoming all hardships.
Sushant will be playing cricket at the SERSA (South Eastern Railway Sports Association) ground where Dhoni used to turn out regularly. During his tenure at Kharagpur, the wicketkeeper-batsman used to go through his physical drills at a place called Dhobi Ghat. Shooting will also be conducted at the same place.
So in spite of the on-field reverses, life is good for MSD off it.
