The International Cricket Council is in advanced discussions to make its first-ever investment in a startup, with Bengaluru-based LightFury Games emerging as the reported recipient in a move that could significantly reshape cricket’s digital and commercial strategy.
According to a report by Moneycontrol, the proposed deal would also see LightFury Games secure the ICC’s official gaming rights across mobile, PC and console platforms globally, positioning its upcoming title, E-Cricket, to become the governing body’s official cricket game.
ICC targets gaming as a major growth opportunity
The reported investment reflects the ICC’s growing focus on expanding cricket’s commercial reach beyond traditional broadcasting and events, with interactive gaming viewed as a key driver of future fan engagement and revenue.
Speaking to ICC member boards during the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore in July 2025, ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta said: “Mobile gaming in cricket will be bigger than the movies.”
The governing body’s push into gaming has gathered momentum over the past two years. It invited expressions of interest to develop an official cricket game before later issuing a formal Invitation to Tender, attracting interest from several major gaming companies alongside LightFury Games.
LightFury aims to build cricket’s next global gaming franchise
Founded in Bengaluru in 2024, LightFury Games is developing E-Cricket, a AAA cricket title designed as a real-time multiplayer experience across multiple platforms.
The studio was founded by former Unacademy Chief Marketing Officer Karan Shroff, gaming industry veteran Anurag Banerjee and former Unacademy and Tencent Games executive Tina Balachandran. Its leadership team also includes experienced developers from companies including Ubisoft, Electronic Arts and Improbable, with a collective track record of delivering more than 40 AAA titles.
The company has raised around US$20 million from investors including V3 Ventures, Mixi, Blume Ventures and Times Internet, while Kunal Shah and Gaurav Munjal are among its angel investors.
Several leading India internationals, including MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja, are also backers of the startup and are expected to feature as playable characters when the game launches.
Earlier this year, LightFury also secured a global player roster licence covering more than 600 professional cricketers through a partnership with Winners Alliance, including stars such as Chris Gayle, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Kane Williamson, Pat Cummins, Jos Buttler, Travis Head and Andre Russell.
Artificial intelligence is also expected to play a central role in the game’s development by helping shorten production timelines while enhancing gameplay, with the company targeting an initial mobile launch in 2027 before expanding to PC and consoles.
Wider commercial opportunity
Despite cricket’s enormous global following, the sport has yet to establish a worldwide gaming franchise comparable to football’s long-running FIFA series, now known as EA Sports FC.
The opportunity is particularly significant in India, one of the world’s largest gaming markets, while the global Indian diaspora represents another important audience for premium cricket gaming experiences across mature international markets.
If completed, the partnership would represent a significant step in the ICC’s broader digital strategy by combining official cricket rights with a next-generation gaming platform capable of reaching audiences well beyond traditional cricket consumption.
ICC stops short of confirming the deal
While reports suggest discussions are at an advanced stage, neither the ICC nor LightFury Games has formally confirmed the proposed partnership.
Responding to media queries, an ICC spokesperson said: “We aren’t in a position to confirm anything right now, but there will be an announcement in the coming weeks.”
If finalised, the agreement would mark the ICC’s first direct investment in a startup while giving LightFury Games one of the most valuable commercial partnerships in cricket’s gaming ecosystem.
