Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been appointed the brand ambassador to promote Barclays English Premier League football in India. A keen soccer enthusiast and a Manchester United fan, Dhoni will invite all sports fans to ‘Join the Game’ in a clutter breaking integrated campaign to be launched early next week.

The announcement comes on the back of the sports broadcaster announcing the launch of Hindi commentary for the first time on EPL. The Hindi commentary will be in addition to the English commentary and will be available for over 100 live matches across the season.

The EPL campaign will build on Dhoni’s love for football said a press release by Star Sports. The campaign has interesting renditions of how Dhoni is always missing from action and is glued to the TV sets watching EPL every weekend while his family and friends run around looking for him.

Exciting

On his association with the campaign, Dhoni, said, 'Soccer is extremely exciting and very close to my heart. 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. It is critical to spread the message of overall sports development and promotion in the country.'