MS Dhoni Inducted Into ICC Hall Of Fame
MS Dhoni, one of India’s most iconic cricketers, has been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame on June 9, 2025, becoming the 11th Indian to receive the honour. The ICC recognised Dhoni’s unparalleled contributions to the game — as a transformative captain, a sharp wicketkeeper, and a legendary finisher — citing his leadership in India’s T20 World Cup (2007), ODI World Cup (2011), and Champions Trophy (2013) wins. He remains the only captain to have won all three ICC white-ball trophies.
IPL 2025: MS Dhoni Among Chennai Super Kings’ Retentions
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have retained their former Captain and of course the face of their franchise, MS Dhoni among five of its players. Among others, the retained list included players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana. Their decision reflects a mix of veteran talent and emerging talent within CSK. Chennai Super Kings’ Landscape Of Bidding Although it is not known how much CSK will pay for each retained player, this set of retentions would strip the franchise of at least INR 65 crore from its overall purse of INR 120 crore. The five players picked here leave CSK with just one RTM option during the auction, which puts it well in the overall landscape of bidding. Dhoni’s Uncapped Status Now 43 years old, Dhoni is likely to be retained in the uncapped category. This status is special because the IPL recently announced a rule wherein players who have not played international cricket for five years can be considered “uncapped.” Dhoni last represented India during the 2019 ODI World Cup. Thus, he is eligible for this category and will allow CSK to play flexibility with their auction purse. Dhoni’s New Role in CSK and His Future Plans After having invested the CSK captaincy in Gaikwad before the season of the IPL 2024, Dhoni turned more on the fringes as a player and batted just marginally and played little cricket with very less role for him in batting. Although he retained his place as a primary wicket-keeper for the side, he got to face just 73 balls in the last 11 innings played by CSK. Moreover, those were mainly the overs where he was brought down in the latter end, No. 8 or No. 9 in most cases so as not to exert his muscles after a knee surgery early in the year 2023. Dhoni has recently said that he would like to enjoy whatever last few years of cricket he is able to play and his scarce batting appearances in IPL 2024 were an opportunity for players like Dube and Jadeja to show their skills and make their case for selection into the Indian Cricket Team before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Five Indian Cricketers with Highest Brand Value in 2024
In India, cricketers are much more than just athletes. Each of them is a national icon celebrated for their influence on and off the field. Here’s a look at the top five Indian cricketers in 2024 who have the highest estimated brand value. 1. Virat Kohli – $228 million (approx. 1912 cr) Leading from the front is Virat Kohli, whose brand value has risen meteorically because of his aggressive play, consistency and worldwide appeal. Kohli’s brand goes beyond cricket and is interpreted as a way of life representing fitness, lifestyle and aspiration. His endorsement deals range from sports equipment to personal care products, making him an absolute delight for brands looking to target the youth segment. 2. MS Dhoni – $91.4 million (approx. 766 cr) Even after his retirement from international cricket, MS Dhoni continued to be a brand powerhouse. With a cool demeanor and a mind that works like a strategy chart, Dhoni has been associated with brands that emphasize reliability and leadership. He endorses automotive, real estate and sports equipment—reflecting his status as a composed and successful leader. 3. Sachin Tendulkar – $91.4 million (approx. 766 cr) Even years after his retirement, Sachin Tendulkar‘s brand value remains. On account of his legendary status in the game of cricket, brand endorsements focus on legacy, trust and his affiliation with cricket-loving households across India. The image of a role model stays with brands related to education, health and sports. 4. Rohit Sharma – $41 million (approx. 344 cr) A rise in brand value for Rohit Sharma comes on the back of some stellar performances and leadership roles for the stylish batsman in limited-overs cricket. His endorsement portfolio comprises fashion, sports and lifestyle brands because of his stylish yet aggressive gameplay that modern urban Indians look up to. 5. Hardik Pandya – $29.6 million (approx. 249 cr) Hardik Pandya has risen really fast due to his dynamic all-rounder skills. Charisma and energy have made him a darling of the youth-centric brands in fitness, fashion and lifestyle—what has been enough to indubitably put him at the pinnacle of brand ambassadors. There is an exemplary case of these cricketers regarding how cricket has taken on cultural and commercial muscle in India, with athletes turning into icons who affected trends, lifestyles and market dynamics. The Sportz Planet desk,Atharva Shetye
Ruturaj Gaikwad: Soaring High Amidst Challenging Chepauk Heat
One could see it: Ruturaj Gaikwad was running out of energy after batting for nearly 20 overs in the energy-sapping conditions at Chepauk on Sunday. He was gasping for breath on his haunches, barely able to stand on his two feet, let alone bat, towards the end of the CSK innings. A tired shot in the final over resulted in Ruutraj perishing for 98 runs, but not before taking his team to a competitive total against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The entire CSK dugout was on its feet, saluting what was truly a masterclass from Ruturaj. It was not just about the number of runs he scored, but the way he weathered the challenging Chepauk heat was commendable. Do not forget that he also batted for the complete 20 overs against the Lucknow Super Giants at the same venue and then captained the side for the entire duration. “These conditions are too hot and humid. Last game I was out fielding for 20 overs and 19 overs today. I was never even thinking about the hundred. I was just trying to make sure we get to 220 or whatever extra runs possible. Even in the last game I wasn’t thinking about the hundred. I was upset I missed a few shots,” Ruturaj said at the end of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad Why batting at Chepauk is a challenge? The hot and humid conditions made life tough for Ruturaj, but he managed to weather the storm thanks to his supreme fitness levels. What makes batting so tough in Chennai is not the pitch, but first the heat, and then losing out on energy makes it extremely tough for batters to bat for longer periods. Being a coastal city adds more humidity to the air, and thus the batters lose out on energy while batting for longer periods. Ruturaj, being only 27, was able to recover well in time, potentially filling in a lot of fluids inside his system, and keeping himself hydrated helped him quite a lot. Chennai Super Kings have entered a new era, with Ruturaj leading the side post-MS Dhoni. He is also leading them from the front, having scored 447 runs in nine matches, and is in the race to win the Orange Cap for the second time in his career. He has taken over the CSK baton from MS Dhoni and is now making a statement both with the bat and his fitness levels. Ruturaj is raising the bar for the rest, and if Chennai needs to do well and defend its IPL crown, they will need every ounce of sweat and blood from their captain to emerge victorious for the record sixth time.