Dhoni signs Rs 200 crore deal

Dhoni signs Rs 200 crore deal

New Delhi, July 13: Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has signed a deal worth nearly Rs.200 crore with Rhiti Sports Management and Mindscapes One, a sports and talent management firm.

The two-year contract makes Dhoni the world's highest-paid cricketer surpassing even Sachin Tendulkar, who had signed a deal worth Rs 180 crore with Iconix, a sports management company in 2006.

The deal has mandated the two companies to manage Dhoni's various endorsements and brand assosiations besides his corporate profile, patents and digital rights.

While Rhiti Sports is headed by Dhoni's business associate Arun Pandey, Mindscape One is run by Pratik Sen, who earlier managed the Indian skipper's endorsements.

Earlier Dhoni was associated with sports management firm Gameplan Sports. He joined Mindscapes Maestros in the year 2009 along with three promoters.

Currently Dhoni is associated with 22 brands including PepsiCo, Aircel and Godrej. (IANS)

Saina confident of extending unbeaten run

Saina confident of extending unbeaten run

New Delhi, July 13: After her three-title winning streak last month, top Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal looks confident of taking her unbeaten run into the World Championships next month.

The 20-year-old from Hyderabad won three titles in three weeks, including two Super Series events, in June and was Tuesday named the captain of the nine-member squad for the World Championships in Paris.

World No. 3 Saina said she is not in awe of facing Chinese players in the Championships and she has comfortably beaten them in the recent past.

“I cannot predict which round I will reach in the World Champioships, but I hope I win the tournament,” said Saina, who was faciliated by Badminton Association of India (BAI) and team sponsors Premier Brands for her achievement here Tuesday.