MS Dhoni applies for Captain Cool trademark: What does it exactly mean?

India's former skipper MS Dhoni has formally requested that his nickname "Captain Cool" be trademarked. This establishes the connection between his cricketing life and business acumen. His fans and the media adore the name since it reflects how cool he remains under stress and how cool-headed he is on the field as the captain.

Dhoni's June 2023 application was recently approved and published by the Kolkata office of the Trademarks Registry. The official journal printed the mark on June 16, 2025, beginning a 120-day window for others to object. If no one else objects, Dhoni will own the name.

The trademark falls under Class 41, which includes education, sports training, entertainment, and cultural activities. This means Dhoni wants to use the name for things like coaching academies, training programs, sports content, and other cricket-related services.

Dhoni’s Trademark Move Is About Protecting His Legacy

For years, “Captain Cool” wasn’t just a fun nickname, it became a big part of Dhoni’s identity. From guiding India to victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup, hitting the winning six in the 2011 ODI World Cup final, and then hoisting the 2013 Champions Trophy, Dhoni became the first captain to win all three of the big ICC white-ball trophies. His level-headedness under pressure and his calmness to think clearly made him a reliable leader. Today, he is cashing that image into a brand.

But the journey was not easy. His lawyer, Mansi Aggarwal, says the Trademarks Registry initially opposed, saying that another company, Prabha Skill Sports (OPC) Pvt Ltd, had already registered the same nickname. Dhoni's lawyers argued that the mark was registered in bad faith and that the company was trying to capitalise on his fame.

Also, they showed how Dhoni has long been synonymous with the nickname "Captain Cool" in the media, on social media, and among cricket fans for nearly 20 years. The application was granted after several hearings.

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If nobody objects to the trademark in the next few months, Dhoni will have sole authority over what the name is used for, whether for merchandise, academies, branding, or online content.

This is a growing trend among famous athletes. Stars like Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) and Michael Jordan (Jumpman) have built strong personal brands from their sports careers. Dhoni is now taking a similar step to protect and grow his brand off the field.

More Than a Nickname: Dhoni’s Legacy Lives On

"Captain Cool" is more than a nickname to Dhoni; it's an allusion to an Indian cricket golden age. Millions of people were inspired by his captaincy, which formed winning teams. By trademarking the term, Dhoni guarantees that the phrase will forever be linked with him, both legally and in the eyes of his fans.

Dhoni, now 43, last played in the 2025 Indian Premier League, where he took over captaincy of the Chennai Super Kings halfway through the season after Ruturaj Gaikwad was injured. CSK did not have a great season and had a rare low finish at the bottom of the table. Dhoni's popularity and respect, however, remain very high. As a reward for his immortal contribution to the sport, he was recently inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.

As he reaches 44 this July, Dhoni hasn't closed the door on playing another season of IPL. Whether he comes out to play or not, the "Captain Cool" franchise is here to stay in the form of merchandise, cricket schools, or training modules that may bear his name. By obtaining legal rights to a name synonymous with his captaincy, MS Dhoni is doing much more than safeguarding a nickname; he's ensuring his legacy for generations to come.