Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has made his professional networking debut on LinkedIn, leveraging the platform to articulate an ambitious business vision focused on transforming India's role in the global sports industry. In his first post, titled “The Vision Is Clear,” Kohli detailed his plans to develop a comprehensive Indian sports ecosystem.
A New Vision for Indian Sports
Kohli, 37, expressed a long-held desire for an India where every sport is not only followed and celebrated but also actively played. He highlighted a new generation of athletes demonstrating India's potential to produce world-class talent and create formidable brands for the international stage.
“The vision is to build an end-to-end sports platform from India, spanning manufacturing, consumer brands, and sports distribution,” Kohli wrote. “It’s a belief that India can help shape the future of global sport, not just participate in it.”
Beyond Traditional Endorsements
Unlike his usual presence on social media platforms like Instagram and X, Kohli utilized LinkedIn to specifically discuss entrepreneurship, investment, and the broader business of sport. His profile identifies him as a professional athlete with the BCCI, an investor in Agilitas Sports since 2025, and a co-founder of one8world since 2026. This move signals a shift from conventional endorsement deals to equity-led associations.
Notably, Kohli reportedly turned down a significant offer from Puma to pursue his own brand-building initiatives. His LinkedIn post emphasized this long-term vision over immediate commercial details, positioning Agilitas Sports and one8world at the core of his strategy to create an Indian sports ecosystem that covers manufacturing, consumer brands, and distribution, reducing reliance on overseas labels.
A Shifting Identity
Kohli's entry onto LinkedIn at 37 underscores a broader evolution in his public identity. He is transitioning from being one of cricket’s most prominent commercial faces to a key stakeholder actively building sports infrastructure and nurturing homegrown consumer brands. His message focuses less on personal branding and more on establishing India as a serious and influential player in the global sports business arena.
Other Cricketers on LinkedIn
While Kohli is a current-generation superstar, he isn't the first Indian cricket legend to join LinkedIn. Sachin Tendulkar maintains a verified profile, where he describes himself as a “Cricketer, Mentor, Change-maker,” primarily using the platform for professional and social-impact updates. However, many other leading Indian cricketers, including Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, do not appear to have active, verified LinkedIn profiles, making Kohli's engagement particularly noteworthy.