Season 2 of the Global E-Cricket Premier League (GEPL) launched with high energy at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru, marking the city’s debut as host of the national opening. The league, developed by JetSynthesys, is witnessing explosive growth and rapidly positioning itself as India’s premier franchise-led esports property focused on cricket.
With over 9.1 lakh player registrations—up from 2 lakh in its inaugural edition—and a larger prize pool of ₹3.05 crore, GEPL Season 2 is making waves in India’s gaming and sports-tech space.
High-profile team owners bring credibility and star power
This season features six city-based franchises owned and co-owned by influential business and entertainment figures:
- Mumbai Grizzlies – Sara Tendulkar (entrepreneur and philanthropist)
- Delhi Sharks – Peyush Bansal (Lenskart CEO)
- Bengaluru Badgers – Nikhil Kamath, Ankit Nagori, Prashant Prakash
- Chennai Falcons – Gopal Srinivasan, Madhusudanan R, Arjun Santhanakrishnan
- Hyderabad Rhinos – Amit Mehta (LNB Group)
- Pune Stallions – Suniel Shetty, actor and entrepreneur (new entrant)
JetSynthesys CEO Rajan Navani described the league’s evolution as a “leap forward in making esports mainstream, aspirational, and commercially viable.”
Bengaluru hosts Season 2 opener, with major backers in attendance
The opening ceremony saw active participation from franchise owners including Sara Tendulkar, Prashant Prakash, Ankit Nagori, Amit Mehta, and Gopal Srinivasan. Their presence signaled deep investor confidence in the league’s growth potential.
Ankit Nagori said Bengaluru was the natural choice: “This city stands at the intersection of talent, technology, and youth culture.”
Explosive growth in player registrations and digital reach
Player registrations jumped by over 350% year-on-year, reaching 9.1 lakh from 2 lakh. The league will feature 34 matches, all played on Real Cricket 24, and broadcast live on Star Sports and streamed via JioHotstar.
“GEPL is building a new arena for India’s youth to compete, engage, and build careers in digital sport,” said GEPL CEO Rohit Potphode.
Suniel Shetty joins as new team owner of Pune Stallions
Bollywood actor and fitness icon Suniel Shetty has joined as the new owner of the Pune Stallions, bringing celebrity influence and strategic thinking to the league. “GEPL is redefining how fans engage with the game,” Shetty said, adding that he’s excited to invest in cricket’s digital future.
Potphode welcomed Shetty: “His involvement brings strong leadership and star appeal. It’s a big step forward in building a world-class e-cricket ecosystem.”
GEPL’s bold future: Where cricket meets esports
Prashant Prakash of Bengaluru Badgers believes GEPL could produce “the Dhoni or Virat Kohli of e-cricket.”
Sara Tendulkar echoed the sentiment: “GEPL reflects how today’s youth connect, compete, and build communities around sport.”
Amit Mehta and Gopal Srinivasan emphasized the league’s value in giving visibility to rising talent and establishing esports as a viable investment platform.
GEPL Season 2 is not just about gaming—it’s about creating a new cultural and commercial frontier for Indian cricket, fusing legacy with innovation, and opening doors for young athletes and entrepreneurs in the fast-growing world of esports.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
