Virat Kohli Partners with Agilitas Sports After Puma Departure

Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has announced a significant partnership with Agilitas Sports, an emerging sportswear startup based in India, on December 8, 2025. This announcement comes shortly after Kohli's remarkable performance in a One Day International (ODI) series against South Africa, where he received the Player of the Series award following India's 2-1 series victory.

Kohli, who previously had a long-standing relationship with the sportswear giant Puma, has shifted his focus to Agilitas Sports, a company co-founded by Abhishek Ganguly, the former Managing Director of Puma India and Southeast Asia. The transition away from Puma, which began when Kohli ended his contract earlier this year, positions him not only as a brand ambassador for Agilitas but also as an investor.

The financial details reveal that Kohli has made a substantial investment of approximately ₹40 crore, which secures him a 1.94% ownership stake in Agilitas through Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares. This investment elevates Kohli's role from merely endorsing the brand to becoming a key stakeholder involved in shaping the company’s future direction.

In a statement, Kohli expressed his enthusiasm about the new venture, stating, "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." He further emphasised the importance of fulfilling potential and creating locally designed products.

The partnership will see the One8 brand, which Kohli previously launched under the Puma umbrella, being integrated into Agilitas's business model. Plans for One8 include a refreshed brand identity and the introduction of new collections of footwear and apparel. The ambition is to expand One8's reach beyond India, aiming to establish it as a global brand.

Despite being in the later stages of his international cricket career, the 36-year-old Kohli remains a highly marketable athlete. He currently plays only one format at the international level after retiring from Test and Twenty20 cricket. Kohli has set his sights on participating in the 2027 Cricket World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Africa.

In his recent ODI series against South Africa, Kohli showcased his enduring talent by scoring two centuries and a half-century, further solidifying his status as one of the premier batsmen in the sport. Observers noted that he appeared to be returning to his best form, demonstrating his capability to perform at the highest level.

Following his announcement, Kohli was spotted at Mumbai airport and is expected to return to London, where he currently resides. He plans to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a domestic 50-over tournament, later this month, before India's ODI series against New Zealand in January 2026.