MS Dhoni appointed vice-president of India Cements, a company headed by N Srinivasan

Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (in file photo with Srinivasan) has been appointed as vice-president of India Cements, a company which is headed by BCCI President N Srinivasan.

Dhoni, who recently resigned from Air India, is expected to play for his new employers in the BCCI Corporate Trophy which began on Friday despite his earlier intention to take a break ahead of the important home series against Australia.

India Cements are the owners of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings of which Dhoni has been the captain since 2008 and Srinivasan is the Managing Director-cum-vice-chairman of the company.

That Dhoni had joined the company had come to light when his name was included in the India Cements squad a few days back. A Chennai Super Kings official has confirmed his position in the company.

The inclusion of Dhoni's name in the India Cements squad for February 1-8 Corporate Trophy had come as a surprise since the Indian captain had expressed a desire to rest and had made himself unavailable for the Irani Trophy.

The latest move to make Dhoni a vice-president of Indian Cements could come under criticism on the ground of conflict of interest.

Dhoni is known to have the complete backing of Srinivasan who had vetoed a move to remove him from Indian captaincy after a string of Test losses.

Dhoni had earlier played in Corporate Trophy for national carrier Air India but since then has resigned from the company.

The Corporate Trophy will be held in four cities - Pune, Nagpur, Indore and Raipur. The Irani Trophy will be held in Mumbai from February 6 to 10.