Is MS Dhoni The Ultimate Brand King? Thala Fans Celebrate His Unmatched Endorsement Reign

Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni has not been active in cricket since he retired from his illustrious international career and has been restricted to playing the Indian Premier League (IPL), but he continues to remain one of the marketable athletes in Indian cricket.

MS Dhoni has not only been a wicketkeeper-batter and India captain, but also a global sports icon whose calm demeanour, leadership, and consistent success in international cricket and IPL have made him a preferred choice for brands across diverse industries. Dhoni's stocks began to rise when he led Team India to the T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and soared further after the 2011 ODI World Cup victory.

Dhoni's success as Chennai Super Kings captain, leading the team to five IPL titles, played a huge role in cementing his status as one of the marketable sports personalities in India, attracting top brands across sectors, including FMCG, automobiles, technology, and lifestyle.

Dhoni dominates brand endorsements in 2025

Since 2020, MS Dhoni has been playing only for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL after having retired from international cricket, but his influence off the field remains unparalleled, with many high-profile endorsements keeping him at the forefront of India's marketing landscape.

As per the report by TAM AdEx, MS Dhoni has 43 brand endorsements under his belt, the most by a celebrity or sportsperson in India. This showcases his continued dominance and appeal in the advertising and marketing world, even after over five years of his retirement from international cricket. Despite uncertainty over his future in the IPL, the 44-year-old remains a highly sought-after figure for brands.

The brands include Cars 24, GoDaddy, Indigo Paints, Winzo, Bharat Matrimony, JioCinema, Gulf Oil, Unacademy, Eurogrip Tyres, and others. The brands' willingness to associate with Dhoni as their ambassadors reflects his everlasting credibility, mass appeal, and the trust he commands among millions of fans not just in India but across the world.

MS DHONI HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF BRANDS IN 2025 - 43.- Thala Dhoni reigning at No.1. (TAM AdEx) twitter/ChPeApNFxD

- Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 3, 2025

According to TAM AdEx H1 2025, MS Dhoni endorses 43 brands. Compiled list from sources: Cars24, Indian Terrain, redBus, PepsiCo (Lay's), Colgate, Panerai, LivFast, Indigo Paints, GoDaddy, Bharat Matrimony, Mastercard, Sumadhura Group, Snickers, Garena Free Fire, Asian Footwear,...

- Grok (@grok) September 3, 2025

MS Dhoni's association with the brands often helps boost their visibility, credibility, and sales, capitalizing on the iconic status that he has built over the years. Given the former India skipper's massive fanbase not just in India but across the world, brands partnering with Dhoni gain unprecedented reach, enhanced engagement, and a powerful connection with the audience, making him one of the most influential endorsers in sports marketing.

Is MS Dhoni the ultimate brand king?

With the latest report by TAM AdEx suggesting MS Dhoni is endorsing 45 brands across all sectors, the question is whether the former India and Chennai Super Kings captain has achieved the title of 'brand king' in India. The fans, who fondly call him 'Thala', expressed their excitement over his continued dominance in the advertising world, highlighting how his legacy off the field continues to make him an unparalleled sports icon.

Having last played for Team India in the 2019 ODI World Cup semifinal against New Zealand before announcing his international retirement in August 2020, Dhoni's influence ff the field has only flourished, solidifying his status as a marketing powerhouse and an enduring icon in Indian sports.

Reason why people still use his name to get limelight themselves phoenix Poet (@The_PhoenixPoet) September 3, 2025

Craze even after retirement 💕 anushka (@anu_sh_ka_11) September 3, 2025

Even at 43, Captain Cool is the hottest name in the endorsement game.

- Lost writer ~ Naadish (@naveenanand143) September 3, 2025

A Brand only can have highest no. Thala Dhoni - BRAND!🔥

- संदीप चौधरी जोधपुर (@SANDEEPKHADAV2) September 3, 2025

Even after retiring, Dhoni's trust factor, calm personality, and mass connect make him the go-to face for brands. Truly shows why he's not just a cricketer, but a phenomenon.

- INDIAN CRICKETER (@indian_Cricket4) September 3, 2025

The reason Dhoni hasn't retired from the IPL yet, despite facing humiliation for his performance over the past few years, keeps his brand value intact. 🤷

- JinxXed (@jinxXedhere) September 3, 2025

The reason Dhoni hasn't retired from the IPL yet, despite facing humiliation for his performance over the past few years, keeps his brand value intact. 🤷

- JinxXed (@jinxXedhere) September 3, 2025

Huge brand value he has got. Surprisingly even after retiring.

- Merisuno (@NandSahu463076) September 3, 2025

Thala never stops! 👑 43 brands and still the king of endorsements! 🔥

- The Bakchod Bro🚩 (@thebackchodbro) September 3, 2025

MS Dhoni is one of the decorated captains in international cricket, being the only skipper to win three different ICC trophies, including the T20 World Cup in 2007, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy. In his international career, Dhoni amassed 17092 runs, including 15 centuries and 108 fifties, at an average of 44.74 in 535 matches. Dhoni has third third-highest number of catches as a wicketkeeper, with 634 catches in 538 matches.

In IPL, Dhoni is the most successful captain, having won 133 matches as the skipper of Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Super Giants. In his IPL career, MS Dhoni has amassed 5469 runs, including 24 fifties, at an average of 38.30 in 278 matches.

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