Dhoni becomes ISL team Chennaiyin FC's co-owner

MSD also decided to join the ISL bandwagon.

On Monday he becomes the latest cricketer to venture into revitalized Indian domestic football.

He will manage the Chennaiyin FC team alongside Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan.

"Dhoni has signed a deal to become a co-owner of Chennaiyin FC," a source from IMG-Reliance, the organisers of the much-anticipated league said.

Last month, Dhoni's deputy in the Indian cricket team, Virat Kohli was announced as co-owner of ISL team FC Goa.

Tendulkar is a co-owner of Kerala Blasters while ex-cricket captain Sourav Ganguly is a co-owner of Atletico de Kolkata.

On the other hand, Dhoni’s friend and Bollywood actor John Abraham is the co-owner of ISL franchisee Northeast United FC.

Dhoni’s love of football is well-known. He admitted, it was soccer, not cricket that was his first choice.

“Soccer is extremely exciting and very close to my heart. Initially I was a footballer and I still love football. I was a goal keeper during my school days. Even today, I play soccer as a warm up game ahead of key cricket matches. I feel that Indian sports fans should consume different types of sports. I want them to be passionate about cricket as they are, but at the same time one needs to give healthy respect to other disciplines as well,” he was quoted as saying about his passion for football while giving an interview earlier.

"I also used to love Zidane," the 33-year old had mentioned.

It must be noted that Dhoni was appointed as the ambassador for the English Premier League (EPL) last year to promote the world's most popular league in India.

Dhoni is an ardent fan of Premier League giants, Manchester United and visited the Old Trafford back in August this year.

"It is critical to spread the message of overall sports development and promotion in the country," Dhoni was quoted saying last year.

The ISL kicks off on October 12 in Kolkata while the final will be held on December 20.