Virat Kohli Joins LinkedIn at 37, Shares Big Sports Business Vision

Virat Kohli has made his debut on LinkedIn at the age of 37, using his first post on the professional networking platform to outline his ambitions for India’s sports business. The cricketer is a primary investor in sportswear company Agilitas and a co-founder and co-creator of one8world.

Kohli said his broader aim is to help create an end-to-end sports platform from India, covering manufacturing, consumer brands and sports distribution. He also expressed the ambition of seeing every sport in the country followed, celebrated and played, while positioning India as a creator of world-class athletes and globally recognised brands.

He said his association with Agilitas as an investor and with one8world as a co-founder reflects his long-standing approach of pushing limits, raising standards and adopting new ways of doing business. Kohli added that the long-term objective is to build an enterprise capable of continuing beyond the current generation.

The one8world brand was introduced at an event attended by thousands of people in Kohli’s home city. He described seeing the brand take shape in front of the gathering as one of the most meaningful moments of his life.

Kohli’s business decisions

Kohli’s move into sports entrepreneurship includes a reported decision to reject an estimated Rs 300-crore contract extension from Puma spread across eight years. He instead invested Rs 40 crore of his personal capital in Agilitas Sports and shifted the one8 brand into a business in which he owns equity.

Agilitas was established in 2023 by Abhishek Ganguly, the former Managing Director of Puma India and Southeast Asia, along with Atul Bajaj and Amit Prabhu. The company follows a vertically integrated model that brings product design, manufacturing and retail operations together.

Kohli has also been associated with Wrogn, a brand founded in 2014 and co-created with him. Its portfolio includes men’s casual wear, footwear and accessories.

With Kohli potentially entering his final year as an international player for India and currently representing the country in only one format, his business activities are receiving greater focus alongside his cricket career.