Virat Kohli is all set to pull off a Roger Federer move. The way Federer changed the landscape of sportswear, ditching Nike for almost an unheard-of Japanese brand Uniqlo in 2018. Indian superstar Kohli is following Federer’s footsteps. He is all set to ditch Puma after an eight-year deal to sign up as the brand ambassador for Agilitas Sports.
As per a CNBC-TV18 report, Virat Kohli will also hold some equity in the company that was established by former Puma India Managing Director Abhishek Ganguly in 2023. However, since the company’s establishment, Agilitas Sports has raised Rs 100 Crore in funding from Nexus Venture. And if the deal goes through, it will significantly boost Agilitas Sports’s status.
Virat Kohli-Puma
Back in 2017, Puma roped in Virat Kohli as the brand ambassador on a Rs 110 Crore deal. The deal was a game-changer for Puma. It helped Puma India make inroads, becoming one of the leading sports and athleisure brands in India.
Interestingly, it was Abhishek Ganguly, who brought Virat Kohli to Puma back in 2017. Kohli was excited to join the Puma bandwagon as the likes of Usain Bolt and Neymar Jr among other big names.
“It’s a privilege to be part of a great list of athletes that Puma has. Not just today’s icons like Usain Bolt but also the brand’s rich history with Pele, Maradona, Thierry Henry, and others,” Virat Kohli said in 2017.
Puma has also recently signed up Indian pacer Mohammed Shami besides Harmanpreet Kaur and Sunil Chhetri.
Virat Kohli is currently on a break. He is likely to return to India team for the IND vs ENG 3rd Test.