Rohit Sharma, former captain of the Indian cricket team, has joined Bengaluru-based gaming studio LightFury Games as an investor and will feature as an officially licensed player in its upcoming mobile cricket game, eCricket.
Sharma joins investor lineup
LightFury did not share financial details of Sharma’s investment. He becomes the eighth high-profile cricketer to back the studio, following MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Tilak Varma, and Sai Sudharsan.
The company was founded in 2024 by former Unacademy CMO Karan Shroff, Anurag Banerjee, and Tina Balachandran. It specializes in developing high-budget, AAA-quality games. The leadership team has worked on over 40 such titles, known for large investments in technology and graphics—examples include Grand Theft Auto V and The Last of Us.
eCricket enters closed beta in September 2026
LightFury will start a phased closed beta of eCricket in September 2026. Early users will test the game and provide feedback before a wider release later this year. More than 300,000 users have already signed up, and a recent teaser for the game exceeded 1 million views.
The teaser showcases Ultimate Squad, a mode where players build teams from a roster of over 700 licensed cricketers. Former Indian cricketer and commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu will voice parts of the game, with plans to add more commentary talent.
The studio states eCricket will include competitive gameplay, realistic physics, high-quality visuals, and multiplayer options. Its aim is to create a globally competitive cricket experience developed in India.
“We want to prove India can build defining game franchises,” Shroff said. “eCricket represents our commitment to an authentic, competitive, and advanced cricket experience, made in India for the world.”
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Funding fuels global ambitions
LightFury has raised $19.5 million in two funding rounds this year. In April, it secured $11 million in a pre-Series A round led by Blume Ventures, V3 Ventures, MIXI, and Times Internet, with participation from several cricketer investors. Earlier, the studio obtained $8.5 million in a seed round, also led by Blume Ventures.
The funds will support game development, expand live operations, and strengthen infrastructure for post-launch growth. The company employs over 120 developers and industry professionals.
Targeting an estimated 2.5 billion cricket fans worldwide, LightFury’s move reflects India’s gaming industry shift toward mobile, PC, and console titles across genres.
Sharma’s investment in LightFury is his second disclosed investment in an Indian startup this year. In June, Pune-based fitness startup Fittr brought him on board as an investor and equity partner.
India’s gaming market hit a milestone in 2025, with revenue surpassing $1 billion for the first time. The country now has about 511 million gamers.
The studio’s focus on cricket gaming arrives as the sport’s digital audience grows. Success will depend on execution, player retention, and standing out in a crowded market.
