MS Dhoni Secures Trademark for Captain Cool Title

MS Dhoni, the former captain of the Indian cricket team, has taken significant steps to trademark his popular nickname “Captain Cool.” The application has received formal approval and has been advertised by the Indian Trade Marks Registry.

Trademark Application Details

The trademark application was submitted on 5 June 2025 and has subsequently advanced to the “Accepted and Advertised” phase, as published in the Trade Marks Journal on 16 June. This status indicates that the trademark has successfully passed its initial reviews and is now subject to public opposition for a standard period of four months. Should there be no objections or if any raised concerns are resolved, the trademark will proceed towards final registration.

Significance of the Trademark

This initiative highlights Dhoni’s commitment to securing exclusive commercial rights for a moniker that embodies his calm and collected leadership style during matches. “Captain Cool” has been closely linked to Dhoni throughout his cricketing career, symbolising his talent for maintaining serenity in high-stakes scenarios, such as India’s 2007 T20 World Cup victory, the 2011 ODI World Cup final, and numerous nail-biting finishes in the Indian Premier League.

Scope of the Trademark

Publicly accessible records show that the trademark encompasses various categories, including sports training services and associated brand and merchandising opportunities. Once fully registered, Dhoni will possess the legal authority to utilise the “Captain Cool” name for official merchandise and promotional endeavours, while also curtailing any unauthorised commercial exploitation of the term by third parties.

Alignment with Global Athlete Trends

This trademark action aligns Dhoni with a rising trend among international athletes who are legally safeguarding their sporting personas. Noteworthy instances include Cristiano Ronaldo’s ownership of the “CR7” brand and Michael Jordan’s multi-billion-dollar enterprise linked to the “Air Jordan” trademark.

Dhoni’s Post-Retirement Business Ventures

The trademark move further strengthens Dhoni’s post-retirement business strategy, as he broadens his brand presence across diverse sectors such as agriculture, fitness, esports, and lifestyle products.

Advertising Collaborations

The nickname “Captain Cool” has already been featured in numerous advertising campaigns, including partnerships with brands like Dettol, Indigo Paints, and Dream11. Securing this trademark enhances Dhoni’s ability to capitalise on that identity through media, merchandise, and licensing opportunities in the future.

With the application now publicly available, it is yet to be determined if any objections will be filed. However, if the process remains uncontested, Dhoni could soon secure full trademark rights to one of the most recognised titles in Indian sports.