In a landmark move for the Indian esports landscape, JioStar has acquired the exclusive broadcast rights for Season 2 of the Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL), the flagship digital cricket property developed by JetSynthesys. With 34 knockout matches scheduled to air in prime time, the partnership will bring competitive esports cricket into millions of Indian homes via television and digital platforms.
GEPL’s evolution: “A milestone” for Indian sports entertainment
This deal represents a significant step in GEPL’s journey to stand alongside traditional sports leagues in India in terms of visibility, scale, and professional production. “GEPL is a high-energy league that mirrors the professionalism of traditional sports,” said Rajan Navani, Founder and CEO of JetSynthesys. “Our partnership with JioStar is a milestone, cementing our place on India’s biggest broadcast stage.”
GEPL was launched as one of the first competitive esports leagues in India centered on cricket, combining the country’s deep-rooted passion for the sport with the immersive, fast-paced experience of mobile gaming—powered by the popular Real Cricket™ platform.
Season 2: Bigger prize pool, more players, prime-time coverage
Building on the success of its inaugural season, GEPL Season 2 will be held in Bengaluru from April 27 to May 2, featuring a knockout-only format and airing all matches during peak viewership hours. The league has also increased its prize pool to ₹3.05 crore, up from ₹2.51 crore last year.
In another key indicator of growth, player registrations have jumped from 200,000 in Season 1 to over 910,000 for Season 2—a fivefold increase, reflecting the league’s growing popularity and credibility within India’s gaming community.
“With Season 2, we’ve sharpened our vision for GEPL that enables player growth, team development, and fan engagement at scale,” said Rohit Potphode, GEPL CEO and league commissioner. “Our presence on JioStar, across both streaming and television, is strategic in expanding our reach and delivering a premier sports entertainment experience to millions of Indians.”
JioStar: “GEPL is innovation in sport”
For JioStar, the deal represents a push into the rapidly expanding intersection of sports, gaming, and youth-oriented content. “We’re excited to partner with JetSynthesys to bring GEPL Season 2 to viewers across the country,” said Siddharth Sharma, Head of Content – Sports at JioStar.
“This marks a significant step in our commitment to elevating the esports category and offering viewers compelling new formats that blend India’s love for cricket with the rising popularity of gaming. GEPL is a perfect example of innovation in sport, and we are committed to helping it reach its full potential.”
Cricket + esports: The next frontier in Indian sports entertainment
As India’s esports industry continues to surge, and cricket maintains its dominance across media and fan engagement, GEPL finds itself at the convergence of two of the country’s most powerful entertainment trends.
This season’s enhanced visibility via JioStar is more than just a broadcast deal—it’s a major bet that cricket-themed esports can become a mainstream category in Indian sports media, unlocking new commercial, sponsorship, and fan engagement opportunities in the process.
GEPL Season 2 kicks off April 27, promising a fast-paced, highly competitive spectacle that blends the best of cricket, gaming, and sports entertainment for a rapidly growing national and global audience.
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
