It is believed that there are about 33 Million gods in India. Well, cricket fans worship a few more, and one of the most revered amongst them is Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He may not be donning the blue jersey anymore, but the legacy he has left behind is deeply etched in the hearts of Indian fans. He may be ‘Captain Cool,’ but he is in hot demand for ads and endorsements. With a net worth of $110 million, Dhoni is the third richest cricketer in the world. Let’s take a look at why Thala is one of the most sought-after faces for advertisers.
Leadership Legacy – Arguably the most fantastic captain in the modern era, Dhoni has won every trophy. And Indian fans do not forget this easily. Kapil Dev, who won the world cup way back in 1983, is still a household name, so it is obvious that Dhoni’s heroics are fresh in their mind as if they happened yesterday. All these achievements garner a lot of respect and devotion towards the 39-year-old. Moreover, since MSD only plays in the IPL, his fans are eager to catch a glimpse of the superstar no matter what the platform is. Endorsers bank on such mass appeal that Dhoni attracts in the country to popularize their brand.
Also Read – 5 Reasons Why Advertisers Love Virat Kohli
Cross-Generational Fans – Bursting onto the scene in 2005, Dhoni has been in the spotlight for a long time now. The fan following of the veteran has a wide demography. While his calm and composed demeanor caters to the orthodox, relatively elder fans, his power-hitting and witty comments make him the youngsters’ favourite too. This enables the endorsers to reach a wider target audience with MSD as their poster boy.
IPL Euphoria – MSD was the costliest player of the inaugural season and he still is if we replace money with fans. The CSK skipper has led his team to the playoffs almost every season and won the trophy thrice. With the IPL becoming such a huge money-spinner over the years, every Indian cricketer has been on the radar of endorsers. And given the high standards and quality of Dhoni, every brand wants him as its ambassador. Moreover, the spotlight on Dhoni has increased since his fans get to see him only during the IPL now.
Simplicity – A major factor for a celebrity’s fame is that how much do his/her fans relate to him. MS Dhoni has seen his fair share of struggle through the years. Born in the small city of Ranchi, MSD wrote his own fairytale with hard work and determination. The superstar cricketer has managed to stay grounded despite his lofty achievements. Simple clothes, a humble attitude, and staying connected to his roots have been a huge reason for the love ‘Mahi’ receives from his fans. Moreover, his biopic helped his story reach the masses and significantly increased his commercial value.
Hobbies – Everyone knows how much MSD loves bikes and football and the fitness standards that he has set. Endorsers use this as an opportunity to popularize products related to his interests through him, which provides some level of credibility to the potential consumers.