The recent merger of Virat Kohli’s sportswear brand One8 with Agilitas Sports marks a pivotal moment in India’s burgeoning athleisure and performance wear industry. Announced on December 8, 2025, this strategic acquisition positions Agilitas, a vertically integrated sports platform founded by Abhishek Ganguly, as the custodian of One8, with Kohli investing Rs 40 crore for a mid-single-digit minority stake. This partnership transcends a mere business deal, evolving from a personal bond into a bold ambition to craft India’s first globally competitive high-performance sports brand, blending Kohli’s athletic ethos with Agilitas’ manufacturing prowess.
Table of Contents
Origins of One8: Virat Kohli’s Vision Takes Shape
One8 emerged from Kohli’s passion for performance-driven apparel, co-founded with Ganguly years ago amid casual conversations about building an authentic Indian sports brand. Launched as a lifestyle and athleisure line, it emphasized movement, comfort, and identity—core tenets of Kohli’s disciplined life shaped by cricket. Products focused on functionality, targeting athletes and fitness enthusiasts who demand style without compromising utility, initially distributed through select channels before this expansion.
Kohli’s hands-on involvement in design ensured athlete-first features, like breathable fabrics and ergonomic fits, reflecting his post-match training rigor even after centuries. Previously tied to a Rs 300-crore Puma endorsement, Kohli opted out in April 2025 to reclaim full creative control, making this Agilitas tie-up a natural progression toward ownership and innovation.
Agilitas Sports: The Backbone of Indian Sportswear Innovation
Founded by Abhishek Ganguly, formerly of Puma India, Agilitas operates a full-spectrum model encompassing manufacturing, R&D, branding, and retail—acquiring Mochiko Shoes in 2023 to bolster footwear production for domestic and export markets. Headquartered in Bengaluru, the company eyes multi-sport categories, from cricket to running, with ambitions to rival global giants like Nike and Adidas on quality and pricing.
Ganguly’s vision, inspired by Kohli’s relentless mindset witnessed during a Mumbai double-century, drives Agilitas’ risk-taking culture. This infrastructure now supercharges One8, enabling scaled production of high-performance footwear, training apparel, and lifestyle gear rooted in functionality and Indian innovation.
The Deal Mechanics: Acquisition, Investment, and Exclusivity
Agilitas acquires full ownership of One8, integrating it into its portfolio while Kohli transitions to investor and co-creator, securing an exclusive association barring other sports endorsements. The Rs 40 crore infusion fuels R&D and global outreach, with One8 gaining a refreshed identity, new collections, and omnichannel rollout—starting with e-commerce and apps for pre-orders, followed by exclusive stores by mid-2026.
This replaces prior agreements, framing a decades-long collaboration to export Indian excellence to the US, UK, and Australia by FY26-27. Commercially, it leverages Agilitas’ factories for cost efficiency, positioning One8 as a premium yet accessible brand for multiple sports.
Strategic Synergies: Why This Partnership Excels
Manufacturing Might Meets Celebrity Credibility
Agilitas’ end-to-end capabilities address One8’s prior distribution limits, enabling rapid prototyping and mass production of athlete-tested products. Kohli’s global fanbase—over 300 million followers—provides instant marketing firepower, amplifying reach in a market projected to hit $20 billion by 2028.
Product Roadmap Innovation
Future lines prioritize performance: advanced footwear with superior cushioning, moisture-wicking apparel for training, and lifestyle items blending streetwear with sport. R&D focuses on sustainable materials and multi-sport versatility, targeting cricket, gym, and casual wear.
Market Expansion Blueprint
E-commerce launch with pre-orders in weeks.
Offline stores and multi-brand outlets by 2026.
International forays into key markets post-India dominance.
Impact on India’s Sports & Lifestyle Ecosystem
This union challenges foreign dominance, fostering homegrown pride amid rising fitness culture—India’s activewear segment grew 25% annually. It creates jobs in manufacturing hubs, boosts exports via Mochiko’s network, and inspires youth through Kohli’s “quiet confidence” narrative. Competitors like HRX and No Signal face stiffer rivalry as One8 scales with superior supply chains.
Voices from the Vanguard: Quotes and Reactions
Kohli: “Sport has shaped my entire life… Nothing excites me more than building something that represents quiet confidence, gives me my Indian identity, and takes it from India to the world.”
Ganguly: “Virat truly represents [the] mindset. Together, we are building a high-performance brand from India… globally meaningful over the next decade.”
Social media buzz, including Kohli’s X post, has trended nationally, signaling consumer excitement.
Challenges and Growth Horizons Ahead
Scaling globally demands navigating tariffs, supply volatility, and fierce competition, but Agilitas’ vertical integration mitigates risks. Sustainability pressures and athlete endorsements will test longevity, yet Kohli’s involvement ensures authenticity. Long-term, success hinges on consistent innovation and retail execution.
The Broader Cultural Shift: Sports as Lifestyle
In a post-pandemic era, Indians embrace hybrid athleisure—One8-Agilitas taps this with versatile, performance-led designs. Kohli’s evolution from endorser to builder mirrors trends like Ronaldo’s CR7, elevating Indian brands globally.
Conclusion: A Legacy in Motion
One8’s integration into Agilitas heralds a new era, where Indian grit meets world-class execution. This collaboration promises not just products, but a movement—rooted in purpose, poised for dominance.
