Dhoni appointed India Cements vice-president, Indian captain shuns Air India job

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is going the corporate way. The Ranchi Rambo added another feather to his cap – he has been appointed as Vice-President of India Cements – a company owned by current BCCI President N Srinivasan.

It’s an open secret that both Dhoni and Srinivasan share a great equation. Dhoni has served as captain of Chennai Super Kings since the start of the IPL in 2008 – a franchise owned by India Cements, where Srinivasan is serving as its Managing Director-cum-Vice-Chairman.

The bonhomie between the two is such that Dhoni decided to shun his job at Air India – a government undertaking – and jumped on the corporate bandwagon.

The Indian captain, who expressed his reluctance to play in the Irani Cup match (beginning February 6) for Rest of India against Mumbai, as he wanted to give himself a break before the four-match Test series against Australia beginning in late February.

Dhoni’s move to take rest meant that the captaincy reins was handed over to Virender Sehwag.

Surprisingly, Dhoni has been named in the India Cements squad for the BCCI Corporate Trophy tournament which kickstarted on Friday, despite the fact that he wanted some rest ahead of the Australia series.

It remains to be seen whether Dhoni features in the corporate tourney. Dhoni had earlier turned out in the BCCI Corporate Trophy for Air India.

The latest move to hand Dhoni such a senior position in Indian Cements could attract stinging criticism on the ground of conflict of interest.

The Indian captain had invited massive flak when Team India lost eight consecutive Tests in England and Australia amid strong calls for him removal as Test captain. It is learnt that Srinivasan had backed Dhoni to the hilt and defied any move to give him the captaincy chop.

Even former Indian batsman and national selector Mohinder Amarnath had stated that Dhoni deserved to be sacked but only survived the axe because the powers-that-be batted for him.