Cricket star Virat Kohli has taken a big step off the field by making a major investment in the sports business world. Kohli has sold his sportswear and lifestyle brand One8 to the Indian sportswear company Agilitas Sports and personally invested ₹40 crore as part of a new partnership, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the brand.
Big Move After Leaving Puma
Kohli’s decision comes soon after his long association with global sports brand Puma came to an end. He had worked with Puma for eight years, starting One8 in collaboration with them. Although a renewal deal worth around ₹300 crore was reportedly on the table, Kohli chose a new direction by joining hands with a homegrown company instead.
Investing in Agilitas Sports
As part of the agreement, Kohli will become a minority shareholder in Agilitas Sports, holding about a 1.94% stake through his ₹40 crore investment. This means he is now more deeply involved in the business side of his own brand, rather than just lending his name to it.
Agilitas Sports was co-founded by Abhishek Ganguly, the former Managing Director of Puma India and South Asia. The company handles everything from manufacturing and design to distribution and retail of sportswear.
What This Means for One8
Under the new arrangement, One8 will continue as an independent global sportswear brand within Agilitas. The plan is to not only grow the brand in India but also expand it overseas, including markets like the US, UK and South Africa. Agilitas is already working on distribution strategies to build One8 into a recognizable high-performance brand around the world.
Kohli himself shared his excitement on social media, saying that this move marks the “beginning of an exciting new chapter” driven by purpose and ambition.
A Broader Business Vision
Experts see this business decision as a smart step in Kohli’s long-term vision beyond cricket. By backing a fast-growing Indian sportswear company and staying actively involved in shaping the future of One8, Kohli is positioning his brand to compete with global sportswear names.
Agilitas has also been expanding its reach by acquiring companies like Mochiko Shoes and gaining rights to Italian brand Lotto in several regions, indicating its broader strategy to strengthen its presence in the sportswear market.