Dhoni says no to endorsements, keeps busy with farming

Kolkata, July 7

Never the one to walk the beaten path, former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has decided not to do any commercial endorsements amid the COVID-19 pandemic and is instead busy with organic farming, gearing up to launch his own brand of environment-friendly fertilisers soon.

The World Cup-winning swashbuckler, on a sabbatical from cricket for the past one year, turned 39 on Tuesday.

His manager and childhood friend Mihir Diwakar, while speaking to PTI, gave a peek into the trailblazer’s reclusive life at his home in Ranchi.

Also read: Greyed a bit more, smarter and sweeter: Sakshi wishes husband MS Dhoni on his 39th birthday

"Patriotism is in his blood, be it serving the country (in defence) or (farming) the land, he's very passionate about it. He has about 40-50 acres of farm land and he is busy growing organic crops like papaya and banana there," said Diwakar.

"He has stopped brand endorsements and has said till life comes to normal, he won't do any commercial activity," added Diwakar, who runs the MS Dhoni Cricket Academy under the name of Aarka Sports.

The wicketkeeper-batsman was expected to be back in action at the IPL but that has been postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Dhoni was recently seen driving a tractor during the lockdown, and Diwakar said they were soon going to launch an organic fertiliser under their company's name Neo Global. He said the fertiliser was being tested at Dhoni's farm.

Also read: Always wanted Dhoni to bat up the order: Sourav Ganguly

Dhoni recently spoke about the harmful impact of pesticides in a video to promote organic farming.

"We have a team of experts and scientists and they have developed the fertiliser and it should be launched within two-three months," said Diwakar.

Asked whether he wished Dhoni on his birthday, Diwakar said, "I spoke to him last midnight. It was a normal talk. As usual, Dhoni would be at home with his family, with a quiet birthday celebration."

Asked whether retirement has crossed Dhoni's mind, Diwakar said, "Being friends, we don't talk about his cricket. But looking at him, he's not at all thinking about retirement."

"He is very determined to play the IPL. He has worked really hard for this. If you remember he was there in Chennai one month in advance before everything was shut down," Diwakar pointed out.

"He has maintained his fitness regimen at his farmhouse and will start practice after the lockdown is lifted. Everything now depends on how fast the situation returns to normal," he concluded. PTI

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.