According to reports, Indian batting legend Virat Kohli has started a new phase for his lifestyle-athleisure company, One8, by investing INR 40 crore in Agilitas Sports. The former India captain decided to turn down a huge renewal offer from Puma after eight fruitful years there in favour of investing in an Indian sportswear startup run by former Puma India CEO Abhishek Ganguly.
One of the largest athlete-brand alliances in India for almost ten years was Kohli’s relationship with Puma. According to reports, his initial 2017 contract with the German behemoth was around INR 110 crore, paving the path for One8 to prosper under the Puma brand. Puma offered an estimated INR 300 crore renewal when the agreement approached its expiration in 2025.
However, Kohli opted for Ganguly’s Agilitas Sports, which provided not just a sponsorship but also a chance to contribute to the development of an extensive Indian clothing brand. As a result, Kohli sold One8 to Agilitas and made significant investments to acquire a minority ownership. On social media, the cricket player revealed the collaboration.
“A thrilling new chapter that comes directly from my heart begins today. Motivated by ambition and purpose, one8 and Agilitas embark on a new journey. He wrote, “Taking one eight home to Agilitas,” as the caption for the photo.
Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter straight from my heart. A new journey begins for one8 and Agilitas, driven by purpose and ambition. Taking one8 home to Agilitas. pic.twitter.com/mZDoKitq2c
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 8, 2025
I desired to participate in it: Virat Kohli
Notably, Virat Kohli uses Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) to convert his INR 40 crore investment into around a 1.94% ownership in Agilitas. After the entire deal is finished, Virat Kohli will own a mid-single-digit minority stake, according to Ganguly. Crucially, Kohli will not promote any other sports brand during this time because the agreement is unique.
Ganguly’s vision led the Virat Kohli to make his choice.
“When the offer came through and he (Ganguly) made me understand the force behind it, the manufacturing capabilities, the expertise that he has, and the kind of people that were going to come on board, I thought this could become something big and of course, I wanted to be a part of it,” Virat Kohli stated.
In the meantime, Agilitas already purchased Mochiko Shoes, a top producer of shoes for well-known international brands. The new agreement calls for One8 to be developed, enlarged, and positioned globally under Agilitas’ framework.
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