Top 10 Indian Startups Related to Cricket: Innovating the Gentleman’s Game

Top Indian Startups Related to Cricket

Three points you will get to know in this article:

1. Startups like Dream11, MPL, and BalleBaazi have revolutionized how fans engage with cricket through fantasy sports, skill-based games, and real-time challenges.

2. Platforms such as Cricbuzz, SportsUno, and StanceBeam are enhancing content delivery, virtual coaching, and performance tracking using AI and wearable tech.

3. Startups like Rario and Hudle are leveraging blockchain and grassroots networks to deepen fan connection and promote amateur participation in cricket.

List of Top 10 Indian Cricket Startups

In India, cricket transcends the boundaries of sport; it constitutes a cultural phenomenon.  The love for the game transcends regions, languages, and generations.  Given that there are more than a billion fans and the cricket economy is valued in the billions of dollars, it’s unsurprising that a surge of Indian startups has arisen to take advantage of this excitement.  These initiatives are revolutionizing the game via technology, involvement of fans, merchandise, training, fantasy leagues, analytics, and additional avenues.

This blog will examine several leading Indian cricket-related startups, their offerings, and their impact on the sport’s future.

1. Dream11: The Pioneer of Fantasy Cricket in India

dream11 logo

Founded: 2008

Founders: Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth

Headquarters: Mumbai

Arguably, Dream11 is the most well-known fantasy sports platform in India.  It boasts more than 150 million users and enables fans to form virtual teams comprising real-life players, earning points according to their performance in real games.

Key Highlights:

  • First Indian gaming firm to achieve Unicorn status.
  • Designated fantasy partner of the IPL and various other worldwide cricket events.
  • Cleared the path for the burgeoning fantasy sports sector in India.

 

Dream11 changed the way fans interact with the sport and sparked the creation of many similar platforms in India.

2. FanCode: Personalized Sports Content and Merchandise

fancode logo

Founded: 2019

Founders: Yannick Colaco and Prasana Krishnan

Headquarters: Mumbai

FanCode serves as a digital sports platform providing live streaming, detailed analyses, match highlights, and fan merchandise.  Supported by Dream Sports (the parent company of Dream11), it offers cricket fans a comprehensive destination for content and commerce.

Key Highlights:

  • Exclusive streaming rights for both domestic and international cricket games.
  • Provides individualized match assessments, player stats, and live scores.
  • Offers a diverse array of cricket products.

 

What sets FanCode apart in a market ruled by broadcasters is its emphasis on direct-to-consumer (D2C) delivery of sports experiences.

3. MPL (Mobile Premier League): More Than Just Fantasy

mpl logo

Founded: 2018

Founders: Sai Srinivas Kiran G and Shubh Malhotra

Headquarters: Bengaluru

MPL is a mobile gaming platform that features fantasy cricket as one of its main offerings.  MPL, in contrast to Dream11, provides users the opportunity to engage in a variety of other skill-based games and eSports tournaments.

Key Highlights:

  • Worth more than $2 billion
  • Sponsored the jersey of the Indian cricket team (2020–2022).
  • Includes fantasy cricket, trivia, and live match challenges.

 

MPL has effectively fused entertainment and real-time gameplay through strategic partnerships with prominent cricket tournaments.

4. Cricbuzz: India’s Go-To Cricket Content Platform

cricbuzz logo

Founded: 2004

Founders: Pankaj Chhaparwal and Pravin Hegde

Headquarters: Bengaluru

Cricbuzz, owned by Times Internet, ranks among the most frequented cricket websites and applications in India.  It provides live scores, ball-by-ball commentary, and insights from experts.

Key Highlights:

  • Among the top sports apps in India by download count.
  • Includes international, domestic, and league cricket.
  • Accessible in various Indian languages.

 

Cricbuzz maintains its supremacy in providing real-time cricket content, particularly during significant events such as the IPL or World Cup.

5. BalleBaazi: A Skill-Based Fantasy Cricket App

ballebaazi logo

Founded: 2018

Founder: Saurabh Chopra

Headquarters: Delhi

BalleBaazi provides fantasy cricket and card games, with a strong emphasis on skill and strategy.  It sets itself apart by providing fantasy formats such as Batting Fantasy, Bowling Fantasy, and Classic Fantasy.

Key Highlights:

  • Organized competitions with actual monetary rewards.
  • Collaborated with former players and cricket influencers for promotional activities.
  • Expanding the user base in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

 

Its novel formats attract users seeking alternatives to conventional fantasy setups.

6. Cricket NFT Platforms: Rario

rario logo

Founded: 2021

Founders: Ankit Wadhwa and Sunny Bhanot

Headquarters: Gurugram

Rario is an NFT platform centered around cricket, enabling fans to purchase, sell, and exchange officially licensed digital memorabilia of their favorite cricketers and iconic match moments.

Key Highlights:

  • The partners feature legends such as Zaheer Khan and current players.
  • Worked together with Cricket Australia, Caribbean Premier League, and others.
  • Provides limited-edition NFTs featuring historic cricketing moments.

 

Rario is at the forefront of integrating Web3 and blockchain into how cricket fans engage.

7. Hudle: Connecting Amateur Cricketers

hudle logo

Founded: 2018

Founder: Suhail Narain

Headquarters: Delhi NCR

Hudle serves as a platform enabling amateur cricketers (and sports lovers in general) to reserve turfs, participate in local cricket competitions, and network with other players.

Key Highlights:

  • Utilized by working professionals, university students, and recreational players.
  • Provides app-based booking and management of the team.
  • Backed by cricketer Ajinkya Rahane in the role of brand ambassador.

 

Hudle connects with the community and grassroots aspects of the game, increasing accessibility for everyday players.

8. SportsUno: Cricket Coaching Reinvented

sportsuno logo

Founded: 2020

Founder: Team of sports professionals and coaches

Headquarters: Bengaluru

SportsUno is an educational technology platform dedicated to sports training, with a particular emphasis on cricket.  It employs data analytics and virtual coaching to assist young players in enhancing their game.

Key Highlights:

  • Offers individualized coaching through videos.
  • Technique feedback with AI assistance.
  • Collaborates with schools, academies, and individuals.

 

With the increasing demand for structured cricket coaching, startups such as SportsUno provide scalable and cost-effective options.

9. StanceBeam: Cricket Meets Wearable Tech

stancebeam logo

Founded: 2017

Founder: Arminder Thind

Headquarters: Bengaluru

StanceBeam has created an intelligent sensor for cricket bats that offers immediate performance data, including bat speed, back-lift angle, and shot efficiency.

Key Highlights:

  • Teamed up with Kookaburra, a top-tier international bat manufacturer.
  • Utilized by professional cricketers during practice sessions.
  • Provides a dashboard for players and coaches that is app-based.

 

StanceBeam is transforming cricket training in India by introducing sports science at the grassroots level.

10. Rooter: Audio-Based Fan Engagement and Live Commentary

rooter logo

Founded: 2016

Founders: Piyush Kumar and Dipesh Agarwal

Headquarters: New Delhi

During cricket matches, Rooter provides live commentary, audio rooms, and fan engagement activities.  Users can share predictions, reactions, and analyses in real time.

Key Highlights:

  • Emphasizes regional content and local languages.
  • Teamed up with sports influencers and YouTube creators.
  • Secured financial backing from investors such as Paytm and leAD Sports.

 

Rooter serves as the perfect platform for the next-gen audience seeking more than mere passive consumption.

Honorable Mentions

  • CricketNext – A platform owned by Times Internet that provides news and updates.
  • BookMyShow-Sports – Provides ticketing for cricket matches and booking for live experiences.
  • Zupee Cricket– A platform offering cricket quiz games for fun and rewards.

Conclusion

Indian startups are innovating every aspect of the cricketing ecosystem, from fantasy sports and NFTs to performance analytics and fan engagement.  These enterprises do not merely capitalize on the sport’s fame; they are actively molding the future of cricket—how it is played, viewed, and commemorated.

As cricket remains a constant in Indian culture and technology advances at a rapid pace, the possibilities are limitless.  No matter if you’re a player, coach, or devoted fan, these startups provide offerings that enhance and enrich your cricket experience.

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