Dhoni opens innings in hockey league

The captain of the nation cricket team now has a stake in the national sport. M S Dhoni is the new co-owner of the Ranchi franchise of the Hero Hockey India League (HHIL), along with Sahara Adventure Sports. The team - formerly known as Ranchi Rhinos - will now be called Ranchi Rays. It had won the inaugural Hero Hockey India League in 2013 but was scrapped because of disagreement between former owners - Patel-PS Group and Uniexcel Group - and Hockey India.

This is Dhoni's second foray into sports entrepreneurship. He also has a minority stake in Hero Indian Super League's Chennai franchise - Chennaiyin FC, of which he is the co-owner, along with actor-producer Abhishek Bachchan and Vita Dani of Asian Paints.

Hero Hockey India League chairman Dr Narinder Batra said: "This is a great moment for Hockey India League to have M S Dhoni on board as a franchise owner, along with Sahara India Pariwar, of the world's most prominent hockey league. This initiative by Sahara India Pariwar showcases the faith that they have in Hero Hockey India League and I am happy by the kind of support that the league is garnering from all quarters. This development also shows the advancement of the HHIL, where reputed corporate and sports promoters are coming together to take Indian hockey to a new level altogether."

Dhoni said: "I am very happy to own the franchise of the Ranchi team in the HHIL. I was always interested to do something for this region. Also, I want to see hockey do better at the grassroots level. I have got this franchise with the support of Sahara India Pariwar, one of the prime promoters and patrons of sports in India."

Speaking on co-owning Ranchi Rays, Abhijit Sarkar, head, corporate communications, Sahara India Pariwar, and a director of Sahara Adventures Sports Ltd, said: "Hockey is our national sport. We are proud to be associated with the Ranchi franchise and are elated to continue our patronage and support of the game. We will achieve greater laurels and success in the sport of hockey in the coming years and Sahara India Pariwar is committed to the development of the sport at all levels."

Sahara India Pariwar also owns the Lucknow team - Uttar Pradesh Wizards.