Mumbai: JetSynthesys, a digital entertainment and tech company, has announced the first franchise ownership for season two of the Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL). Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Curefoods founder Ankit Nagori, and Accel partner Prashanth Prakash will co-own the Bengaluru franchise.
Last year's tournament drew 200,000 registrations and selected the top 64 players for eight teams. The final showdown took place in JetSynthesys’ Real Cricket video game, streamed on JioCinema, with over 1.1 million minutes viewed and a reach of 70 million-plus.
JetSynthesys CEO and founder Rajan Navani expressed his enthusiasm about these developments, "We are thrilled to welcome Nikhil Kamath, Ankit Nagori, and Prashant Prakash to the GEPL family. Their involvement is a testament to the growing recognition of e-cricket as a mainstream sport. With an expanded team format and new league guidelines, we are set to elevate the competitive spirit and excitement to new heights globally."
The new team owners also shared their excitement about joining the league.
Kamath remarked, "The gaming industry is incredibly exciting right now, especially with how fast things are moving in India. We’ve reached a point where we’re not just participating in global gaming—we’re creating esportable games for the world. Real Cricket is a prime example of that. Partnering with Rajan and JetSynthesys for the Global e-Cricket Premier League is a good opportunity to help foster and inspire young talent in this dynamic space. I’m keen to see what we can achieve together and to play a role in shaping the future of esports in India.”
Nagori added, "I'm truly passionate about the video gaming industry and excited about the vision JetSynthesys has for taking cricket to the world as India's premier esport. This is my way of giving back and supporting the next generation of gamers. I believe in their potential, and I'm here to help them shine in a space that’s evolving so quickly. Together, I believe we can turn gaming into the next big contributor to India GDP, and also a fulfilling career for many talented individuals."
Prakash stated, “I'm thrilled to be part of the Global e-Cricket Premier League and to contribute to the growth of esports in India. This partnership with JetSynthesys aligns perfectly with my passion for innovation and my belief in the potential of cricket as a global esport. Together, we can create a vibrant ecosystem that empowers aspiring gamers and showcases their talent on an international stage."
GEPL CEO & league commissioner Rohit Potphode enthused on the occasion, “We're excited to welcome Nikhil Kamath, Ankit Nagori, and Prashant Prakash as our franchise team owners for this thrilling season. This year, the league promises to be bigger than ever, uniting players, franchise owners, fans, and sponsors to create immense value and deliver unforgettable experiences for everyone involved.”
This year's upgrades aim to boost competition within GEPL while creating jobs in esports sectors like event management, broadcasting, and talent management. The league offers competitive salaries to top players, turning their passion for gaming into viable careers as they compete for the title of 'e-Cricket Icon' on a global stage.
With the GEPL S2 finals set for January 2025, the tournament continues to blend cricket, gaming, esports, and entertainment, offering a platform for emerging esports talent to showcase their skills in eCricket.
