Cricket superstar Virat Kohli has stepped into an entirely new arena, becoming a strategic investor in the upcoming World Bowling League (WBL). Known globally for his unmatched cricketing prowess and social media influence—he is the third-most followed athlete on Instagram behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi—Kohli’s entry signals a bold move to elevate bowling into the mainstream.
“The World Bowling League (WBL) is pleased to announce cricketing icon Virat Kohli as a strategic investor in the league, igniting a bold new chapter to elevate the sport of bowling,” WBL organisers said in an official statement.
The WBL, owned by League Sports Co., is setting out to redefine the perception of bowling. With fast-paced, mixed-gender competitions and visually engaging events at iconic global venues, the league aims to position bowling as a high-energy spectator sport. The initiative is not only disrupting the traditional bowling experience but is also laying the groundwork for a global cultural movement around the game.
Kohli’s personal connection and business instincts
Kohli’s decision isn’t purely commercial—it’s rooted in personal experience.
“I started bowling when I was 11 years old, spinning the ball by 12,” Kohli said in a statement issued by League Sports Co., the owner of WBL . “It is evident how popular the sport is while being under-appreciated as a business proposition.”
Already active in sports ventures—owning a team in the E1 World Championship powerboat series and holding a stake in Indian Super League football club FC Goa—Kohli sees WBL as the next step in his growing sports portfolio.
“Adi K Mishra’s vision to redefine bowling is unique, and after our success with Team Blue Rising in the E1 series, I’m thrilled to join the WBL as an investor and partner.”
Mishra and Kohli: aligned on redefining a “sleeping giant”
League Sports Co. founder and CEO Adi K. Mishra believes Kohli’s involvement is a game-changer.
“When I discovered Virat is also a bowler, it was exciting to align on this new-age vision for the sport,” Mishra said. “Virat’s relentless drive for sports mirrors our own. Every week, we uncover more about bowling’s global depth and fascinating history – it’s a sleeping giant we’re ready to awaken.”
Mishra adds that professional bowling is far more intricate than most realise, pointing to the sport’s hidden complexity and technical depth.
“Elite-level bowling is a world of intricate challenges — from lanes with unique topographies and thousands of 3D-printed oil patterns to balls that react differently with every roll.”
A global roster begins to take shape
Kohli joins Major League Baseball star Mookie Betts—who owns the WBL’s first announced team, Team OMG—as one of the headline investors bringing global attention to the sport. With franchises set to be unveiled in the coming months, the WBL is building momentum toward its first season.
As Kohli’s star power and Mishra’s innovation converge, the WBL is positioning itself not only as a league but as a global movement. With its mix of entertainment, inclusivity, and cutting-edge gameplay, bowling may be about to bowl over an entirely new generation of fans.
After a great partnership with @adikmishra in E1 Team Blue Rising, excited to team up again in the World Bowling League!
With @Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts and others, we’re redefining a sport loved by 100M+ people, leveraging @fsp_io’s technology to engage millions of fans.… pic.twitter.com/mQAqv1SjJs— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) May 28, 2025
