M S Dhoni close to trademarking his iconic nickname 'Captain Cool'

Star cricketer M S Dhoni is close to trademarking his on field name "Captain Cool" for sports and entertainment services, as reported by Bar and Bench.

According to the Trade Marks Registry portal, the application's status is 'accepted and advertised'. It was published in the official trademark journal on June 16. The application was filed on June 5.

If the trademark remains unchallenged, Dhoni will have exclusive rights to the mark. The proposed trademark is registered under the category for sports training, providing sports training facilities, sports coaching and services.

Initially, it was objected due to similar prior mark and the Trade Marks Office ruled in M S Dhoni's favour, as per Bar and Bench, citing his "strong public association with the moniker."

M S Dhoni's lawyer said, "Delighted to share a recent development from the field of trademark law that underscores the evolving role of personality rights and acquired distinctiveness in overcoming relative grounds for refusal," as reported by India Today.

Dhoni's team had argued that "Captain Cool" holds a clear and unique link with the cricketer, and is a term used by his fans and the media too.

The Registry said that "Captain Cool" is not just a tag but also a part of Dhoni's commercial image, the publication mentioned.

Interestingly, another company, Prabha Skill Sports (OPC) Pvt Ltd, had earlier filed a similar application for the phrase. However, that application's status is showing as 'rectification filed'.

Earlier this month, Dhoni was inducted into the ICC's Hall of Fame for the year 2025 along with seven cricketers, including Australian great Matthew Hayden and South Africa's Hashim Amla.

The ICC hailed Dhoni as a player who excelled not just in numbers but also in "extraordinary consistency, fitness and longevity".

"Celebrated for his calm under pressure and unmatched tactical nous, but also a trailblazer in the shorter formats, MS Dhoni's legacy as one of the game's greatest finishers, leaders and wicketkeepers has been honoured with his induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame," the ICC statement had said.

(With PTI inputs)