Former India captain and celebrated cricketer MS Dhoni, known as 'Captain Cool' for his calm demeanor and decisive decisions, recently applied to trademark this tag line, but the matter has now become embroiled in controversy.
Sports News: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, considered one of the calmest and most astute captains in Indian cricket, is now attempting to legally secure his popular nickname 'Captain Cool'. However, this effort is facing legal hurdles. A prominent law firm, 'Analysis Attorneys at Law', has officially objected to the trademark application filed by Dhoni.
What is the whole matter?
Dhoni applied for a trademark for the name 'Captain Cool' in June 2023, which was accepted by the Kolkata-based Trademark Registry Office in June 2025. Subsequently, it was published in the Trademark Journal on June 16, 2025. Under the Indian Trademarks Act of 1999, objections can be filed against any application within 120 days.
Within this timeframe, the law firm opposed the trademark, stating that the nickname is not Dhoni's personal property but is already in use across various players and contexts.
Legal arguments: Why the trademark may not be granted?
According to the law firm: 'Captain Cool' has become a common nickname, given to many captains and personalities. It would be inappropriate to associate it with just one person. Dhoni's application does not provide b evidence or documentation that specifically links this nickname to him. A word or phrase cannot be trademarked solely on the basis of popularity unless it demonstrates brand value and a distinctive identity. The name has not been commercially registered previously, which weakens Dhoni's claim.
Captain Cool: Not just a name, an identity
The matter will now depend on legal arguments and proof. If Dhoni's team succeeds in proving that: this nickname is widely associated with him, it has been used in commercial identification and branding, and it has not been previously registered as a trademark by anyone, then the trademark may be granted in his favor. But if the opponents present b evidence that this word has been in public use and is not connected to the identity of a specific person, then Dhoni's efforts could also be rejected.
Calling MS Dhoni 'Captain Cool' is not just a nickname but a symbol of his thinking, decision-making ability, and his calmness in stressful situations on the field. The 2007 T20 World Cup win, the winning six in the 2011 World Cup final, and the captaincy in the 2013 Champions Trophy – on all these occasions, Dhoni's calm demeanor and strategic thinking led India to victory.
This very characteristic of Dhoni makes him 'Captain Cool'. He has always maintained peace and positivity towards the team on the field, due to which this name has resonated in the hearts of cricket lovers.
