Dhoni among 10 most marketable athletes in the world

India's ODI captain eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to figure ninth in the list

India's most successful One-Day International captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has beaten football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to secure ninth place in the list of the world's 'most marketable athletes', compiled by the London School of Marketing.

The top 20 list, topped by Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer, has the 34-year-old Dhoni ranked below tennis world No 1 Novak Djokovic (ranked 8th).

Former world No 1 golfer Tiger Woods was named the second most marketable sportsperson, while Rory McIlroy came in sixth.

Dhoni also surpassed the likes of Maria Sharapova, Usain Bolt, Barca forward Neymar, boxer Floyd Mayweather and British tennis star Andy Murray.

The complete list:

1. Roger Federer – Tennis

2. Tiger Woods – Golf

3. Phil Mickelson – Golf

4. LeBron James – Basketball

5. Kevin Durant – Basketball

6. Rory McIlroy – Golf

7. Novak Djokovic – Tennis

8. Rafael Nadal – Tennis

9. Mahendra Singh Dhoni – Cricket

10. Cristiano Ronaldo – Football

11. Kobe Bryant – Basketball

12. Maria Sharapova – Tennis

13. Lionel Messi – Football

14. Usain Bolt – Track

15. Neymar – Football

16. Andy Murray – Tennis

17. Kei Nishikori – Tennis

18. Derrick Rose – Basketball

19. Floyd Mayweather – Boxing

20. Serena Williams – Tennis