Cricket star Mahendra Singh Dhoni might have slipped in the ICC ranking, but a gutkha (chewing tobacco) brand launched in his name has become an instant hit in his hometown.
Dhoni Gutka, priced at Re. 1, was launched a fortnight ago in Jharkhand - the cricketer's home state. It has already become popular amongst young tobacco chewers.
Shopkeepers are a happy lot as demand for the product is soaring.
"Dhoni gutkha is no way different from other gutkhas. It contains similar ingredients. But the name Dhoni is doing the magic," said Naresh Chaurasia, a betel leaf merchant who also sells gutkha.
Ratnesh Singh, another 'paanwalla', said: "I bought five cartons of Dhoni guthka and I sold all of them in just two days. Normally I sell two packets in a week.
"Dhoni guthka is giving tough competition to brands like Tiranga, Goa, Sir and others. The combined sale of all the other brands is unable to compete with it."
Added Manish, a student of Ranchi University: "I switched over to Dhoni gutkha when it was launched. Dhoni has made the state proud and it is our duty to make his products successful."
{{/usCountry}}Added Manish, a student of Ranchi University: "I switched over to Dhoni gutkha when it was launched. Dhoni has made the state proud and it is our duty to make his products successful."
{{/usCountry}}Asked about his cricket hero's falling ICC ranking, Manish remarked, "In cricket, no one can perform equally well in all matches. When Sachin Tendulkar can go out of form, so can Dhoni."