MS Dhoni Surpasses Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan in Brand Endorsements; Virat Kohli Lags Behind

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Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, MS Dhoni remains a powerhouse off the field. The 43-year-old former India captain has outshone Bollywood icons Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan in the race for brand endorsements for the first half of 2024.

As per a report by TAM Media Research, Dhoni, who has maintained a low profile in cricket except for his participation in the IPL with the Chennai Super Kings, secured 42 brand deals during this period. This tally puts him ahead of Bachchan, who signed 41 deals, and Shah Rukh, who had 34 endorsements.

Top 10 Indian Celebrities by Brand Endorsements (2024 H1)

MSD beats Sourav Ganguly to Endorsement Rankings, Virat Kohli Nowhere Near Top

In the top 10 list of Indian celebrities with the most brand endorsements in 2024, MS Dhoni stands as the clear leader among cricketers with 42 deals, far ahead of fellow cricketers Sourav Ganguly (24 endorsements) and Virat Kohli (21 endorsements). This puts Dhoni nearly the same as Kohli and Ganguly combined, reaffirming his unparalleled market value in Indian sports.

Despite being one of the world’s most recognisable cricketing icons, Virat Kohli – known for his endorsements with global brands like Audi, Hero, MRF, Puma, and Valvoline – falls short in terms of endorsement numbers compared to Dhoni. While Kohli reportedly earns over $20 million annually from sponsorships, Dhoni’s enduring brand appeal and wider portfolio demonstrate his unique ability to resonate with audiences across multiple demographics.

What are MS Dhoni’s Endorsement Deals?

MS Dhoni’s 42 endorsements are a testament to his unparalleled marketability. While Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan are synonymous with glamour, Dhoni’s grounded personality and credibility have set him apart.

Some of the prominent companies associated with him are Eurogrip Tyres, Gulf Oil, MasterCard, Cleartrip, Citroën, Lay's, and Garuda Aerospace. He also represents Flipkart-owned Cleartrip, PepsiCo’s Lay's, Orient Electric, and Explosive Whey, adding to his broad and diverse appeal.

His portfolio also includes civic initiatives, such as collaborations with the Election Commission to boost voter turnout in Jharkhand, further solidifying his position as a versatile ambassador.

MS Dhoni’s Assets and Influence

With a net worth of ₹1,040 crore, Dhoni's empire includes luxury properties like a ₹6 crore Ranchi farmhouse and an ₹18 crore Dehradun bungalow. His love for automobiles is equally iconic, featuring cars like a Hummer H2 and Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow alongside a collection of over 70 bikes.

Although Dhoni stepped down as CSK's captain after their triumphant 2023 IPL campaign, the franchise continues to value his leadership and brand pull. Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, Dhoni was retained for ₹4 crore under a special rule allowing the retention of players who have been out of international cricket for five years.

Dhoni joins a star-studded retained squad featuring Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and Shivam Dube as CSK aim for a record sixth title.