For Sri Lankan cricket fans, the nickname ‘Captain Cool’ is inseparably linked to Arjuna Ranatunga, the iconic captain who led Sri Lanka to victory in the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
The term ‘Captain Cool’ was first coined in the 1990s by veteran cricket commentator Tony Greig in reference to Ranatunga’s calm and composed leadership on the field.
In later years, the moniker was also used by some commentators and fans to describe former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, known for his similar temperament under pressure.
Now, the nickname has returned to the spotlight after Dhoni filed an application with the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks in India, seeking to trademark the phrase ‘Captain Cool’.
The application was officially recorded in the Trademark Journal issued by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry on June 16, 2025.
This move has sparked concern among a large number of Sri Lankan cricket enthusiasts, who strongly associate the title ‘Captain Cool’ with Arjuna Ranatunga. Many are calling on relevant authorities to intervene, emphasizing that the legacy of the name belongs to Ranatunga and should be preserved in his honour.
