Virat Kohli isn’t just hitting boundaries on the pitch—he’s smashing ceilings off it. So, when we heard he turned down a ₹300 crore deal, we had to sit down, and re-read it twice. We mean, who turns down that kind of money?!

But that’s the thing with Kohli—he’s not your everyday cricketer. He’s always been a move-maker, a line-crosser (in the best way), and now, a brand-builder. After already pocketing around ₹110 crore from his long-standing Puma partnership, he’s decided to hang up those endorsement boots and lace up for his own marathon—his lifestyle label, one8.

And here’s the twist in the tale: while brands are chasing him with bags of cash, Kohli's chasing legacy—and maybe a little freedom too. Partnering with Agilitas, the sportswear venture by ex-Puma India boss Abhishek Ganguly, Kohli’s stepping into the role of investor and entrepreneur.

₹110 Crore In, ₹300 Crore Out: Kohli’s Boldest Move Yet

Let’s break it down—because this one’s got more layers than an IPL finale:

• Back in 2017, Kohli signed an eight-year deal with Puma, worth ₹110 crore. It was one of the biggest athlete-brand tie-ups in Indian sports at the time.
• That contract officially ended in 2025, and Puma, clearly wanting to hold onto their MVP, came back with a renewal offer worth ₹300 crore—for another eight-year run.
• But Kohli politely declined the deal.
• Instead, he’s doubling down on his own vision, pushing his athleisure and lifestyle brand 'one8', with a mission to take it global.
• To do that, he’s now partnering with Agilitas, a new sportswear startup co-founded by Abhishek Ganguly, the former Managing Director of Puma India and South-East Asia.

Now if this doesn’t scream "main character energy", we don’t know what does. Kohli isn’t playing the endorsement game anymore—he’s rewriting the playbook.

RCB’s Rock, Kohli’s Still in Form

While his business game is levelling up, Kohli hasn’t let that steal focus from the field. He continues to be the heart and hustle of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 season. Under new skipper Rajat Patidar, RCB’s shown promise, bagging 3 wins in their first 5 matches. And guess who’s still lighting it up at the top?

Virat’s already smacked a half-century against KKR and backed it up with a crisp 67 against MI. Clearly, the man’s multitasking like a pro—runs on the board, deals on the table, and a brand in the making.

We’ve always believed that true greatness isn’t just about how loud your stats are—it’s about how bold your choices are. Virat Kohli just made one of the boldest of his career. While others chase short-term gains, he’s building long-term equity. It’s not about making noise anymore—it’s about making moves.

So here’s to King Kohli—cricketer, creator, and now, a full-blown CEO in sneakers.