Agilitas Sports, the vertically integrated manufacturing-to-retail sports platform founded by Abhishek Ganguly, has announced the acquisition of one8, the sportswear brand co-created by Virat Kohli. As part of the transaction, Kohli joins Agilitas as an investor and co-founder of one8—a move that deepens their long-standing partnership and accelerates the mission to build India’s first global high-performance sports brand.
Agilitas, which operates across manufacturing, R&D, brand-building and retail distribution, has been expanding its capabilities rapidly. In 2023, the company acquired Mochiko Shoes, India’s largest sports footwear manufacturer, boosting both domestic and export potential.
The collaboration between Kohli and Ganguly evolved organically over years of shared conversations and mutual admiration for discipline and sport. What began informally soon solidified into the creation of one8. Kohli’s decision to bring one8 under Agilitas stems from strategic alignment and a shared long-term vision. While he could have invested solely in the brand, Kohli opted to become a shareholder in Agilitas itself, citing the company’s integrated strengths in design, manufacturing, R&D, and nationwide distribution.
Virat Kohli, Co-founder & Investor, one8, said: “My relationship with Abhishek grew very naturally, it was never forced. One day, while casually talking about my desire to build something of my own, he simply said, ‘Let’s go for it,’ and that’s how one8 began. Sport has shaped my entire life. Movement, comfort, and performance define everything for me, and that philosophy naturally translated into the brand. I always wanted a sports-first approach to style – where functionality, comfort and identity come together.
What inspired me to bring one8 to Agilitas was the depth of its manufacturing, the strength of the people, the structure they’ve built, and Abhishek’s expertise. I am deeply involved in the creative process of everything that comes out. Nothing excites me more than building something that represents quiet confidence, gives me my Indian identity, and takes it from India to the world.”
With this new chapter, one8 will prioritise high-performance footwear, training apparel, and sports-led lifestyle products, all rooted in innovation, functionality and athlete-first design principles.
Abhishek Ganguly, Founder, Agilitas Sports, reflected on the partnership, saying: “I first met Virat on the day he scored a double hundred in Mumbai and still went straight into training after a full day in the heat, that moment stayed with me. It defined his mindset. Our relationship has always been honest, open, and driven by a shared belief in pushing beyond limits.
The one8 mindset is about taking risks, trying the unknown and never settling. Agilitas is truly represented in one8, and Virat truly represents that mindset. Together, we are building a high-performance brand from India, rooted in sports functionality, best-in-class quality and a very clear reason to exist – with the ambition to be globally meaningful over the next decade.”
The one8 Mindset
Central to the brand is the “one8 mindset,” which champions risk-taking, pushing boundaries, and challenging convention. Grounded in high performance and built on intent, discipline, and courage, one8 celebrates individuals who pursue excellence and embrace their identity with pride. This philosophy will guide one8’s evolution as it aims to emerge as a globally relevant high-performance brand originating from India.
