Virat Kohli just became a much bigger owner of an Indian sportswear company, without writing a new cheque. The merger of his brand one8 into Agilitas Sports has lifted his stake from 1.8% to 6.4%. It’s a small number with a big message: India’s biggest sports star is betting on owning a homegrown brand, not just endorsing a global one.
What happened
The Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the merger of One8 Sports Private Limited with Agilitas Sports Private Limited. As a result, Kohli’s shareholding in Agilitas has increased to 6.4% from 1.8%.
The key detail: the increase came without any additional investment from Kohli, who had previously put ₹40 crore into Agilitas. Before the merger, he held 944,400 shares, equivalent to a 1.8% stake, with the investment made at a company valuation of ₹3,100 crore.
He isn’t stepping back from the brand either. Kohli will remain a co-founder of one8 and continue to participate in its development.
Why his stake went up without new money
This is how mergers often work. When one company is folded into another, the owners of the smaller company usually receive shares in the larger one in exchange for what they bring. Kohli brought one8, his brand, and his growing ownership of Agilitas reflects that.
In our view, that’s the most interesting part of the deal. Kohli’s biggest contribution isn’t cash. It’s the brand built around his name, and the merger turns that brand into a larger share of the company that now owns it.
What one8 gets from Agilitas
Agilitas isn’t just a sportswear label. It’s built to make and distribute products at scale. The merger integrates one8 directly into the Agilitas ecosystem, which includes Lotto brand licensing and the Mochiko Shoes manufacturing unit, and links one8 with Agilitas’ manufacturing and research infrastructure to support a global expansion plan. whalesbookwhalesbook
Kohli explained his reasoning when the partnership was first announced: “What inspired me to bring One8 to Agilitas was the depth of its manufacturing, the strength of the people, the structure they’ve built, and Abhishek’s expertise.” bestmediainfo
The founders, Abhishek Ganguly, Atul Bajaj and Amit Prabhu, are now working on a full-stack model, covering everything from the factory to the shelf. whalesbook
The numbers behind the ambition
Agilitas is growing fast. For the fiscal year 2026, it reported revenue of approximately ₹1,400 crore, and the company expects revenue to reach ₹1,800 crore to ₹1,900 crore in the current fiscal year. whalesbookstoryboard18
That growth matters to Kohli’s stake. A larger share of a fast-growing company can be worth far more than a bigger share of a small one.
Why this matters for Indian sportswear
This deal lands in the middle of a busy month for the industry. As we wrote in Nike is back in Indian cricket. Why Mumbai Indians?, the world’s biggest sportswear brand is doubling down on India, while homegrown players like Boldfit are raising big rounds to compete.
Kohli’s move shows what homegrown brands have that global giants can’t easily copy: athletes as owners, not just endorsers. When a star like Kohli holds a meaningful stake, he has a reason to promote the brand for years, not just for the length of a contract.
It also builds on a shift we highlighted when Kohli joined LinkedIn: India’s biggest athletes are moving from endorsing brands to building and owning them.
What to watch
Can one8 go global? The merger is built for international expansion. The real test is whether an athlete-led Indian brand can compete beyond India.
Can Agilitas hit its targets? Reaching ₹1,800–1,900 crore in revenue this year would make it one of India’s biggest homegrown sports companies.
Will other athletes follow? If Kohli’s stake grows in value, more Indian athletes may choose equity over endorsement fees.
The question that matters
Is the future of Indian sportswear built by brands that sign athletes, or by athletes who own the brands? Kohli has made his choice. The next few years will show whether it pays off.
At The Sports Columnist, we cover the deals, the money and the decisions behind sport. Every game has a second scoreboard, and Kohli’s stake in it just more than tripled.
Sources: National Company Law Tribunal merger approval and company information, as reported in October 2026.
Read more from The Sports Columnist
→ Virat Kohli joins LinkedIn. A big moment for India’s sportspreneurs.
→ Nike is back in Indian cricket. Why Mumbai Indians?
→ Boldfit raised ₹400 crore. Can a homegrown brand win India’s fitness market?
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