MS Dhoni Affiliates with Star Sports for 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy

The 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy is only 19 days away, and excitement is building rapidly. To add to the excitement, Star Sports, the event's official broadcaster in India, has teamed up with former Indian captain and Champions Trophy winner MS Dhoni for a new campaign titled "Hard Match Do-or-Die." The promotional video begins with a montage of India's successful 2013 Champions Trophy campaign, followed by Dhoni's thoughts on the upcoming event.

MS Dhoni’s new avatar

The campaign includes a film starring MS Dhoni, India's last captain who won the ICC Men's Champions Trophy in 2013. Dhoni, known for his calm demeanour, is portrayed in a unique and intense avatar that reflects the tournament's immense pressure and unpredictability.

His presence in the campaign evokes both nostalgia and excitement, reminding fans of India's past victories while emphasizing the upcoming event's competitive nature.

A powerful visual representation of tournament pressure

The promotional film shows Dhoni sitting in an ice-filled bathtub against a snowy backdrop, visibly sweating—an image intended to represent the tension that defines the Champions Trophy. He conveys a strong message about the tournament's cutthroat format, stating that a single misstep could result in elimination.

Broadcasters discuss tournament hype

Vikram Passi, head of marketing at JioStar - Sports, explained that the ICC Men's Champions Trophy leaves no room for error because each match determines a team's fate. He stated that Dhoni, who is known for excelling in high-pressure situations, was the ideal choice to represent this theme. Passi added that the campaign casts Dhoni in a completely new light—not as a player, but as a devoted fan reacting to the tournament's intensity.

Dhoni's Perspective

Dhoni reflected on the significance of the Champions Trophy, saying that the tournament has always been special to him because it brings together the best teams in high-stakes matches. He acknowledged that, while players deal with pressure on the field, fans' excitement and nerves are on a whole other level. Dhoni also expressed his enthusiasm for watching the competition from a fan's perspective this time.