Mahendra Singh Dhoni demonstrated his corporate credential as he batted for India Cements at their board meeting. After captaining India on the cricket pitch, [this time] he padded up for India Cements. A charismatic leader, Dhoni was at all ease speaking on the company’s growth and plans in his avatar as the Vice President, Marketing, India Cements, at the company board meeting.

The meeting was to review the financial performance for the quarter and half year period ending September 30, 2018.

He said: "I am bullish on India Cements’ growth". During an earnings presentation, he said, "We at India Cements will reach 100 per cent capacity utilisation levels next year on the back of rising demand."

During his debut presentation at the board meeting, Dhoni also said since he has cut down on his duties for team India, he would give more time towards his India Cements’ responsibilities.

Oversupply, coupled with poor demand, spooked the cement industry in the South. India Cements operated its plants at 80 per cent of rated capacity for the September quarter. All-India cement demand grew an estimated 14 per cent this fiscal. The company has lined up fresh capacity expansion for a cement factory with annual capacity of 2.4 million tonne (MT) in Madhya Pradesh.

Top company executive were all charged up with the presence of MS Dhoni during the board meeting. "Dhoni is our greatest asset. He has already visited India Cements facilities – one in Banswara (Rajasthan) and at Sankar Nagar (Tamil Nadu)," said said, India Cements’ Vice-Chairman and Managing Director.

On his visit to the manufacturing facilities, Dhoni, clad in the company’s uniform, termed his visits to the manufacturing facilites "exciting." He said the visits helped him understand the process of cement manufacturing. N Srinivasan added: "The budget for this is Rs 900-1,000 crore, and we hope to fund it internally. Demand will outstrip supply soon."