Virat Kohli's Agilitas stake rises to 6.4% after one8 merger

Cricketer Virat Kohli's shareholding in Agilitas Sports, an Indian sportswear and footwear company, has risen to 6.4% from 1.8% after the merger of his lifestyle brand one8 into Agilitas, according to reports published on 29 and 30 October 2026. The Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approved the merger of One8 Sports with Agilitas Sports on 23 October. The higher stake came through the merger itself, without any fresh investment by Kohli, and he will stay on as one8's co-founder.

Many celebrity-linked brands are run as licensing arrangements, in which the star lends a name and earns a fee. This merger works differently. Kohli's brand has been folded into an operating sportswear company that makes and sells products, and in return he holds a larger share of that whole company. His fortunes are now tied to Agilitas's overall growth, not just one label.

For Agilitas, the deal brings a well-known brand under its roof and lets it run one8 through the same factories, design teams and shops as its other products. Combining brands in this way can cut costs and speed up launches, which matters in a crowded market for sports shoes and athleisure where global names compete with Indian labels.

The NCLT's role is a reminder of how such deals work in India. A merger between companies needs the tribunal's approval, which checks that shareholders and creditors are treated fairly. Once approved, shares are reallocated according to the agreed exchange ratio, which is how Kohli's stake grew without him putting in more money.

The revenue target gives a sense of scale: Agilitas expects Rs 1,800 crore to Rs 1,900 crore in sales this financial year, according to one report, so one8 now sits inside a company of meaningful size rather than standing alone.

For young founders, the story shows another route for building a consumer brand in India: instead of growing alone, a brand can join a larger manufacturer to gain scale, while the founder keeps a stake in the bigger business.

Short-term: one8 will now be run as part of Agilitas, using its product development, manufacturing and retail systems.

Long-term: If Agilitas meets its revenue target and grows, Kohli's larger stake could become more valuable; the combined company will also be watched for any future fund-raising or listing plans.

Who is affected: Kohli and other Agilitas shareholders, one8's employees and customers, Agilitas's suppliers and retail partners, and competing sportswear brands in India.

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