Rohit Sharma is taking a new position in cricket’s expanding digital ecosystem, joining Indian game-tech studio LightFury Games as an investor and licensed player in its upcoming cricket title, eCricket.
The former India captain becomes the eighth prominent Indian cricketer to invest in the Bengaluru-based studio, joining MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Tilak Varma and Sai Sudharsan. His involvement comes as LightFury prepares to begin a phased closed beta for eCricket in September 2026, with more than 300,000 players already signed up.
The announcement also comes after the game’s latest teaser generated more than 1 million views over the weekend, giving the studio an early indication of audience interest ahead of hands-on testing.
Founded in 2024, LightFury Games is positioning eCricket as a global cricket gaming franchise developed in India. The studio is seeking to combine licensed players, competitive gameplay, social features and high-fidelity presentation in a title designed to appeal beyond the sport’s traditional markets.
Rohit Adds Star Power and Cricket Expertise
Rohit’s investment extends his involvement beyond the role of an in-game athlete. He will appear in eCricket as an officially licensed player and is expected to contribute his understanding of elite cricket and the competitive demands of the sport as the game develops.
“High-performance sport is built on preparation, precision and the pursuit of continuous improvement,” Rohit Sharma said. He added that LightFury’s ambition to develop a world-class cricket experience from India was a key attraction and that he hoped to help bring the game to cricket fans globally.
For LightFury, the participation of high-profile players serves a dual purpose. Their names add visibility to the game while their involvement as investors gives them a financial stake in the studio’s long-term ambitions.
The roster of cricket investors is also notable for its breadth. It includes players from different generations and playing roles, giving LightFury an unusual connection to the sport it is attempting to recreate digitally.
The company did not disclose the size of Rohit’s investment.
eCricket Moves Toward Closed Beta
The next major milestone for the company is the phased closed beta beginning in September. The first group of players will gain access to the game and provide feedback intended to influence development before a broader release later in 2026.
That approach reflects a wider shift in game development toward community-driven testing, particularly for large multiplayer titles. For LightFury, the beta will provide an opportunity to assess gameplay systems, performance and social features with real users before the game reaches a wider audience.
More than 300,000 people have already signed up for eCricket, according to the company.
Karan Shroff, co-founder and CEO of LightFury Games, said the studio wants to demonstrate that India can create globally competitive gaming franchises rather than primarily serving as a market for international publishers.
“eCricket is our commitment to creating an authentic, competitive and technologically advanced cricket experience — made in India, for the world,” Shroff said.
He described Rohit’s involvement as a significant milestone for the company and said the closed beta would allow early users to become part of the development process.
Building Around Ultimate Squad
The latest eCricket teaser focuses on Ultimate Squad, one of the game’s core modes. Players will be able to assemble teams from a roster of more than 700 officially licensed cricketers from around the world.
The size of the roster is intended to create multiple team combinations and strategic possibilities. Players can construct squads around their preferred combinations and compete using different approaches, giving the game a layer of team-building and strategy beyond individual match play.
The game will also feature Navjot Singh Sidhu as one of its official commentators. The former Indian cricketer and television personality will be part of a broader commentary lineup intended to bring familiar voices and a broadcast-style feel to matches.
The emphasis on licensed players and recognizable commentary is part of LightFury’s attempt to make the digital experience feel connected to real-world cricket.
Aiming Beyond Traditional Cricket Games
LightFury is developing eCricket around social and multiplayer experiences, with players expected to compete and interact with users globally. The studio says the game will combine competitive gameplay, cricket physics, broadcast-quality presentation and high-fidelity visuals with community-oriented features.
That positioning puts the title in a competitive global gaming market where sports franchises increasingly operate as broader digital ecosystems rather than standalone games. For cricket, the opportunity is particularly significant because of the sport’s large international following and the strong cultural connection between fans and individual players.
LightFury is seeking to translate that existing fandom into an interactive entertainment franchise. The challenge will be turning early attention, player sign-ups and celebrity participation into sustained engagement once the game is available to a broader audience.
$11 Million Funding Supports Expansion
The company has raised $11 million in 2026 to support development of its global cricket gaming franchise. The funding included institutional investors and strategic participation from Indian cricketers.
LightFury has completed two funding rounds, including its Pre-Series A round. Its institutional backers include Blume Ventures, V3 Ventures, MIXI and Times Internet, alongside strategic investors from the Indian cricket ecosystem.
The studio was founded by Karan Shroff, Anurag Banerjee and Tina Balachandran, whose combined industry experience spans more than 40 AAA game titles. LightFury now has more than 120 developers and industry professionals working on its projects.
The company’s broader ambition is to establish India as a source of globally competitive game development. Its immediate test will be eCricket, however, as the title moves from promotional teasers into player hands.
With Rohit Sharma joining its investor group, more than 300,000 sign-ups and a September closed beta approaching, LightFury has built considerable anticipation around the game. The next phase will determine whether that attention can translate into a durable gaming community and a franchise capable of competing beyond India.
