New Delhi: Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Saturday was named as the brand ambassador for Jharkhand’s upcoming state assembly elections, announced by the Election Commission. The appointment comes by the dint of massive popularity the iconic cricketer enjoys in his home state.
Dhoni, who hails from Jharkhand’s capital city of Ranchi, will be working to appeal the voters about the power of their votes, particularly for the youngsters to increase the voting count in the Eastern Indian state. The morale responsibility for the 43-year-old cricketer is to spread awareness among the voters under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.
According to a report by news agency Asian News International, Jharkhand’s Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar said that Dhoni gave his permission to use his photos for the assembly elections, which is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 20 across two phases.
“Mahendra Singh Dhoni has given his consent to the Election Commission to use his photo. We are in touch with him for other details. Mahendra Singh Dhoni will work for the mobilization of voters…” K. Ravi Kumar said during a press conference held in Ranchi on Saturday (October 26).
MS Dhoni’s IPL future to be decided during retentions
MS Dhoni’s retention with the Chennai Super Kings has been a serious discussion among fans ever since the IPL governing body announced the retention rules in September. In a major development for CSK and Dhoni, the older rule of uncapped player was brought back. If a player hasn’t played international cricket for last five years or isn’t part of any central contracts under the BCCI (Indian cricket board) then he will be deemed as an uncapped player.
Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in August 2020 with his last appearance for India made a year ago in July, will be eligible to be retained as uncapped player by the four-time IPL winners. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, in an interview to ESPNcricinfo, revealed that the franchise has no confirmation from their former captain over his availablity, though they are keen on retaining him.
A recent report from India Today, Dhoni is set to meet CSK officials on October 29 and 30, days ahead of the retentions deadline (which is October 31). The meeting will help both the parties to decided the future of the former Indian player in the Yellow jersey.
