Dhoni was highest individual taxpayer in Bihar-Jharkhand region last year
What's the story
Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni was the highest individual taxpayer in the whole of the Bihar-Jharkhand region last year. He paid a whopping Rs. 12.17cr as taxes in 2017-18, Rs. 1.24cr more than when he paid Rs. 10.93cr in 2016-17. According to Forbes, Dhoni is India's third highest earning cricketer, after Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, and earned Rs. 63.7cr in 2017.
Sources
Dhoni's earnings come from more than his cricket matches
Apart from cricket, Dhoni rakes in the big bucks from several other ventures, including SEVEN, an apparel line he launched last year. The co-owner of Chennayin FC and Ranchi Rays is involved in both the Indian Super League and the Hockey India League. Recently, he submitted a proposal to the Jharkhand government for a five-star hotel in Ranchi. He also forayed into Bollywood by co-producing "M.S Dhoni."
Endorsements
The cricketer has signed up with top global brands
Endorsements are another major earner. Dhoni is or has been the ambassador for a number of top national as well as international brands. His kitty includes Pepsi, Reebok, Aircel, Boost, Amity University, Amrapali Group, Gulf Oil, Ashok Leyland, Big Bazaar, TVS Motors, Sony Bravia, Sonata Watches, Dabur Chyawanprash, Lays Wafers and Maxx Mobile. He is also the Vice-President (Marketing) at India Cements, owned by former BCCI president N Srinivasan.
Data
Dhoni made it to Forbes' lists of highest-paid athletes, celebs
Various reports peg Dhoni's net worth at an estimated $111mn (Rs. 765.18cr). In 2015, he took the 23rd spot in Forbes' list of the world's 100 highest paid athletes, and 82nd among the 100 highest paid celebrities, but dropped off both lists the next year.
Cricket
Dhoni has had a mixed time on the field
Speculations on Dhoni's future were triggered after he sought the match ball at the end of the lost third ODI against England in Headingley. In the limited-overs series, he made just 32 runs in three T20 matches and 79 in three ODIs. But he became the first wicket-keeper to take five catches in a T20 international, in the match against England in Bristol.