Announcement
LightFury Games, an India‑based AAA‑focused game‑tech studio, issued a press release on 24 August 2026 from Bengaluru, Karnataka, confirming that Indian cricket icon Rohit Sharma has joined the company as a strategic investor and will appear as an officially licensed player in its forthcoming cricket title, eCricket. Sharma becomes the eighth marquee cricketer to invest, joining MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Tilak Varma and Sai Sudharsan.
Funding Details
The studio disclosed that it raised a further $11 million in 2026 as part of a Pre‑Series A financing round. The round was led by institutional backers Blume Ventures, V3 Ventures, MIXI and Times Internet, and also featured strategic participation from the eight cricketer‑investors. This funding follows an earlier round, marking the completion of two financing rounds for LightFury Games.
Game Development & Beta
eCricket is positioned as a deeply social and competitive cricket experience built for a global audience. The second official teaser released by LightFury Games attracted more than 1 million views over a weekend, underscoring strong interest. Over 300,000 fans have already signed up for the game. The studio announced a phased Closed Beta rollout beginning September 2026; the first wave will grant early‑access players hands‑on experience and direct influence over development through community feedback. The game’s “Ultimate Squad” mode will feature a roster of over 700 officially licensed cricketers from around the world, allowing players to assemble custom squads. Former Indian cricketer and television personality Navjot Singh Sidhu will serve as one of the official in‑game commentators, adding authentic broadcast‑style narration.
Investor & Celebrity Involvement
Rohit Sharma expressed enthusiasm, stating that the values of high‑performance sport mirror LightFury Games’ ambition to create a world‑class cricket experience from India. CEO and co‑founder Karan Shroff highlighted India’s status as one of the world’s largest gaming markets and described the investor lineup as a defining milestone that aligns with the studio’s vision to build a globally competitive cricket franchise.
Company Background
LightFury Games was founded in 2024 by industry veterans Karan Shroff, Anurag Banerjee and Tina Balachandran. The leadership team collectively has contributed to more than 40 AAA titles. The studio employs over 120 developers and industry professionals, focusing on high‑quality, cutting‑edge gaming experiences to strengthen India’s position as a hub for global game development.
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