Virat Kohli has increased his ownership in Agilitas Sports from 1.8% to 6.4%, but the jump did not come from another investment. It follows the NCLT-approved merger of his sportswear company one8 Sports with Agilitas, bringing the brand deeper into the Bengaluru company’s operating structure.
Kohli had previously invested ₹40 crore in Agilitas, reportedly at a valuation of about ₹3,100 crore. Before the merger, he held 944,400 shares representing a 1.8% stake. His enlarged holding comes from the restructuring of one8 rather than fresh capital, and he will continue as one8’s cofounder and remain involved in building the brand.
The strategic value lies beyond the cap table. one8 can now draw directly on Agilitas’ capabilities across product development, design, R&D, manufacturing and retail. Instead of operating primarily as an athlete-led consumer brand, it becomes part of a broader sportswear platform capable of controlling more of the journey from product concept to factory and eventually the store shelf.
Agilitas already owns footwear manufacturer Mochiko Shoes and is building consumer-facing retail through Sports Yard, while its brand portfolio includes one8 and Lotto. The company plans to take one8 into additional sporting categories and expand internationally across markets including the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
Reports suggest Agilitas is aiming to build a ₹2,000–3,000 crore sportswear business over the next four to six years. That remains a target rather than current revenue. For one8, the merger changes the ambition significantly. The challenge is no longer simply using Kohli’s visibility to sell sportswear. It is whether the brand can combine that recognition with serious product development, manufacturing and distribution capabilities — and eventually compete as an Indian sportswear business beyond India.
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