Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has taken a legal step to acquire exclusive rights to his iconic nickname, "Captain Cool". Known for his calm and composed nature on the field, Dhoni has officially applied to register the title as a trademark.
According to official records, the trademark application was filed in June 2023 and has now been "accepted and advertised" by the Trademark Registry, Kolkata office in June 2025. The trademark was published in the Trademark Journal on June 16, 2025, inviting any public objections within a period of 120 days from the date of publication.
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"If no objection or opposition is raised to the trademark by anyone within 120 days from June 16, it shall be granted in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the trademark law."
The application for "Captain Cool" has been submitted under Class 41, which deals with education, training, entertainment, sports and cultural activities. Dhoni aims to secure the use of this title especially in areas related to sports training and coaching.
A source close to the matter clarified, "Once the trademark is approved, no one other than Dhoni can use 'Captain Cool' commercially in sports and entertainment-related fields."
With the acceptance of this application, Dhoni has moved one step closer to obtaining full commercial rights over a name that has become synonymous with his legendary cricketing personality. If the mark goes ahead without any objections, it will strengthen his branding in sports-related ventures both on and off the field.
The move is also seen as a strategic move in protecting personal brand identity, especially in an era where athletes often diversify into business, coaching and entertainment ventures after retirement.
The acceptance of Dhoni's application by the trademark registry is a significant milestone in the legal formalisation of his public identity.
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If no opposition is filed by the deadline, the "Captain Cool" trademark will be officially registered in Dhoni's name, giving him exclusive rights to use it for commercial and promotional purposes in specified categories.
