India’s One-Day International cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has bagged his first endorsement deal outside the country, roped in to be the brand ambassador of Dubai-based hospitality and event management company Grand Midwest Group for three years. Established by UAE businessman Zafar Shah Khan, the Grand Midwest Group owns hotel properties in Dubai, United Kingdom and Ireland.

The company also has interests in the entertainment business in India and currently owns a local cricket team in the UAE. The group’s event management arm – GM Sports – was recently in the news for announcing the launch of a Twenty20 international cricket tournament called the Masters Champions League (MCL), which is scheduled to be played starting end of January next year.

MS Dhoni 

• The wicketkeeper batsman made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2004, and was run out on the first ball.
• According to Forbes, MS Dhoni’s net worth is $30 million, which exceeds Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar’s net worth.
• Mahi is the only Indian captain to have led his team to victory in all three major ICC tournaments: the Twenty-20 World Cup (2007), 50 Over World Cup (2011) and the Champion’s Trophy (2013).
• Dhoni was conferred with the honorary rank of Lt Colonel by the Indian Territorial Army in November 2011.