In a move that has captured the attention of both the sports and business worlds, cricket icon Virat Kohli's strategic pivot from a global giant to a homegrown startup has drawn significant commentary. Entrepreneur and Shark Tank India judge Ritesh Agarwal has now weighed in, interpreting Kohli's decision as a telling indicator of the nation's robust business environment.
From Global Ambassador to Homegrown Investor
Virat Kohli concluded his eight-year, Rs 110 crore brand ambassador contract with German sportswear leader Puma in April 2025. Despite Puma's lucrative offer of a Rs 300 crore deal for another eight years, Kohli chose a different path. He decided to partner with Agilitas Sports, a new Indian sportswear company founded in 2023 by Abhishek Ganguly, former managing director of Puma India and Southeast Asia.
This partnership goes beyond a simple endorsement. Kohli invested Rs 40 crore of his own capital into Agilitas Sports, acquiring a minority stake in the company. Furthermore, Agilitas Sports acquired Kohli's athletic lifestyle brand, One8, integrating it into its portfolio. According to a June 2025 report by Entrackr, Agilitas Sports is valued at a staggering Rs 2,058 crore.
Ritesh Agarwal's Take: A Vote of Confidence for Indian Business
Commenting on this high-profile shift, OYO Rooms founder and Shark Tank India judge Ritesh Agarwal highlighted its symbolic importance. In a conversation, Agarwal pointed out that Kohli left a "massive deal" to invest his own money and build a company.
"Once someone asked him, 'If not a cricketer, what would you have been?' He immediately replied, 'Businessperson,'" Agarwal recalled, referencing Kohli's entrepreneurial spirit. "This is a sign that it's (the business scene in India) is going very well," he asserted, countering any pessimistic narratives about the Indian economy.
Beyond Celebrity Endorsement: The Rise of the Entrepreneur-Athlete
Kohli's move underscores a growing trend where top athletes transcend brand ambassadorship to become equity-holding partners and business founders. His venture, One8, launched in 2017 with Puma, was an early step. The shift to Agilitas represents a deeper, more financially committed plunge into entrepreneurship.
Ritesh Agarwal's interpretation frames this not just as a personal business decision, but as a microcosm of rising confidence in Indian enterprise. It signals a belief among the country's top achievers that compelling, valuable companies can be built domestically, attracting capital and talent away from established international players.
The business community will be watching closely as Virat Kohli transitions from a brand face for a global corporation to a key investor and stakeholder in an ambitious Indian sportswear challenger brand.
