Virat Kohli is not only one of the best cricket players in the world, but also a successful businessman who has invested in various ventures that reflect his passion, vision, and values. According to Biographico, the former Team India captain has an estimated net worth of ₹1065 crore (approximately $128 million), making him the world’s third-richest cricketer. He has used his fame, fortune, and skills to diversify his portfolio and income sources while staying true to his core principles and beliefs.
Some of the business ventures of Virat Kohli are Puma One8, One8 Commune, UAE Royals, Bengaluru Yodhas, Nueva, The Blue Rising team, and FC Goa. These businesses cater to different segments of the market and society, such as lifestyle, fitness, food, sports, and entertainment. Kohli plays an active role in these businesses, either as a co-owner or the face of the brand, and ensures that they align with his vision and values. In this blog post, we will explore each of these businesses in detail, and how they reflect Kohli’s passion, vision, and values.
These are some of the Astounding Business Ventures of Virat Kohli
1. Puma One8
The brand name One8 is based on Kohli’s jersey number 18, which he has been wearing since his debut for the Indian cricket team in 2008. The number 18 is also significant for Kohli as it is the date of his father’s death, who was his biggest inspiration and supporter.
The collaboration between Kohli and Puma was launched in 2017 and is one of the biggest endorsement deals in Indian sports history, worth ₹110 crores for eight years. The deal makes Kohli the first Indian sportsperson to have a signature brand with a global sports company. The partnership aims to create a platform for the youth to engage in sports and fitness activities and to inspire them to follow their dreams.
Puma One8 offers a range of products and services that cater to the lifestyle and fitness needs of youth and sports enthusiasts. The products include footwear, apparel, accessories, fragrances, and fitness equipment, which are designed with Kohli’s input and reflect his style and personality.
The products are available online and offline across Puma stores and other retail outlets in India and abroad. The services include fitness camps, workshops, events, and digital content, which aim to provide guidance, motivation, and entertainment to consumers.
2. One8 Commune
One8 Commune is a restaurant chain that aims to create a community of like-minded people who share Kohli’s passion for food, fitness, and fun. The concept and vision of One8 Commune is to provide a holistic and engaging experience for the customers, where they can enjoy delicious and healthy food, listen to live music, watch sports, play games, work out, and shop for merchandise. The restaurant is named after Kohli’s jersey number, 18, and reflects his personal style and philosophy.
The ambiance and menu of One8 Commune vary depending on the location and the preferences of the local customers. The restaurant has outlets in Delhi and Mumbai and plans to expand to other cities in the future.
The Delhi outlet, located in Aerocity, has a spacious and comfortable seating area, with a modern and contemporary look. The menu is carefully crafted to offer a variety of dishes from around the world, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant also offers a selection of fine wines and spirits to complement the meal.
The Mumbai outlet, located in Juhu, is situated in the bungalow formerly owned by the legendary singer and actor, Kishore Kumar. The restaurant pays homage to the late icon and celebrates the pluralism and humanism implied by the ‘commune’ in its name.
The menu is designed to cater to the diverse tastes of the Mumbai crowd and includes finger food, Asian, European, Mediterranean, and desserts. The restaurant has a full bar, a DJ, live sports screening, outdoor seating, live music, and a private dining area.
3. UAE Royals
UAE Royals is a professional tennis team that competes in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL), a franchise-based tournament that features some of the best players in the world. The IPTL was founded in 2013 by Indian tennis legend Mahesh Bhupathi, with the aim of creating a team tennis league that would attract fans and sponsors across Asia.
The UAE Royals was one of the four charter franchises that participated in the inaugural edition of the IPTL in 2014. The team was initially owned by Dubai-based businessman Neelesh Bhatnagar, the owner of NB Ventures, a diversified business group.
In 2015, Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli joined the ownership group of the UAE Royals, along with Sachin Gadoya, the co-founder of Musafir.com, an online travel agency. Kohli, a huge fan of tennis and a friend of Bhupathi, said that he was excited to be part of the IPTL and to support the growth of tennis in the UAE and India.
4. Bengaluru Yodhas
Bengaluru Yodhas is a wrestling team participating in the Pro Wrestling League (PWL), a professional freestyle wrestling league in India. The team is co-owned by India’s Test cricket captain Virat Kohli and the JSW Group, a conglomerate with interests in steel, energy, infrastructure, and sports.
The name Bengaluru Yodhas is derived from the Sanskrit word for warriors and reflects the spirit and culture of the city of Bengaluru, where Kohli plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The team’s logo features a lion, symbolizing courage, strength, and pride. The team’s motto is #FromBatToMat, indicating Kohli’s transition from cricket to wrestling as a co-owner.
Virat Kohli became the co-owner of Bengaluru Yodhas in December 2015, ahead of the inaugural edition of the PWL. He joined Bollywood superstar Dharmendra and fellow cricketer Rohit Sharma, who co-owned the Punjab Royals and the UP Warriors respectively, as celebrities associated with the league. Kohli said that he was thrilled to hear about the PWL and Bengaluru Yodhas and was confident that the Yodhas would be a vital cog in the scheme of things.
5. Nueva
Nueva is a fine-dining restaurant that specializes in South American cuisine and was launched by Kohli in 2018, as a tribute to his love for travel and exploration. The restaurant is located in Delhi, at Sangam Courtyard, and has a spacious and elegant interior, with a contemporary and minimalist style. The restaurant also features a live bar and a silent kitchen, where the chefs prepare the dishes with creativity and skill.
The restaurant is owned by Virat Kohli’s brother Vikas Kohli and Sharad Batra of Cafe Delhi Heights fame. The chef patron of the restaurant is Michael Swamy, who is also a renowned chef writer and travel photographer. He has created a menu that features dishes from different South American cuisines such as Peruvian piscos (fish), spicy mole (chocolate sauce), ceviche de camarones (shrimp), La Caja de Pinturas (painting box), arepas (corn cakes), empanadas (stuffed pastries), churros (fried dough) and more.
The restaurant has received rave reviews from critics and customers alike for its food quality, service excellence, and ambiance. It has been rated as one of the best restaurants in Delhi by various platforms such as Zomato, Dineout, and EazyDiner.
6. FC Goa
FC Goa is a professional football club based in Margao, Goa, that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL), the top flight of Indian football. The club was established on 26 August 2014 and is owned by Goan Football Club Pvt. Ltd., a company that also owns other sports teams in Goa. The club’s president is Akshay Tandon and its head coach is Manolo Márquez. The club’s nickname is The Gaurs and its home ground is the Fatorda Stadium, which has a capacity of 19,000 spectators.
FC Goa is owned by Goan Football Club Pvt. Ltd., a company that also owns other sports teams such as Gokulam Kerala FC, Churchill Brothers Sikkim, Churchill Brothers Kerala, and Churchill Brothers Sporting Clube. The company was founded by Jaydev Mody who is also one of the co-owners of FC Goa along with Akshay Tandon.
Virat Kohli is another co-owner of FC Goa who joined them as part owner along with Jaydev Mody and Akshay Tandon when he was unveiled on 23 September 2014. Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan was chosen as the brand ambassador of FC Goa when they were launched. Varun Dhawan is known for his roles in films such as Student of the Year (2012), Badlapur (2015), Dilwale (2015) and Judwaa 2 (2017).
7. The Blue Rising Team
The Blue Rising Team is one of the 12 teams that will compete in the UIM E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric race boat series. The team was launched on October 3, 2023, by cricket megastar Virat Kohli and sports tech entrepreneur Adi K Mishra, who are also the co-owners of the team.
The team will race with a sleek and futuristic electric race boat called RaceBird, which has a top speed of 50 knots and a battery capacity of 35 kWh. The boat also has a peak power output of 150 kW and uses hydrofoil technology to reduce drag and increase efficiency.
Virat Kohli is now owner of team BLUE RISING at UIM E1 world championship, E1 is the first electric race boat championship. Super excited for this one🔥 pic.twitter.com/mG0wHXE75A
— Yashvi (@BreatheKohli) October 3, 2023
The UIM E1 World Championship is a global platform for urban racing, where teams of 12 drivers compete in 12-day events across iconic cities around the world. The championship is organized by League Sports Co. (LSC), a sports tech company founded by former Formula E driver Alejandro Agag.
The championship features exclusively electrically powered boats that are designed to be fast, efficient, and eco-friendly. The boats have no internal combustion engines or exhaust emissions, making them more environmentally friendly than conventional boats. The boats also have advanced features such as regenerative braking, smart cockpit systems, and wireless connectivity.
The championship will start its inaugural season in February 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, followed by other cities such as Venice (Italy), Monaco (France) and Rotterdam (Netherlands). More venues will be announced later.
Conclusion
Virat Kohli is a cricketer and a businessman who has made a mark in both fields with his impact and influence. He has diversified his portfolio and income sources by investing in various ventures that reflect his passion, vision, and values. He has also stayed true to his core principles and beliefs, such as excellence, integrity, and social responsibility. He has shown that he is not only a master of the game, but also a master of the game of life.
If you have any opinions or feedback on this blog post, please share them in the comments section below. You can also follow Kohli’s journey and achievements on his social media platforms, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Thank you for reading!
