The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly close to making its first-ever startup investment, with Bengaluru-based game developer LightFury Games emerging as the frontrunner. This landmark deal would grant LightFury Games official ICC gaming rights across mobile, PC, and console platforms worldwide. Such an agreement would mark a rare occasion for a gaming company to secure comprehensive rights across all three major platforms simultaneously, significantly expanding cricket's digital footprint.[indiantelevision+2]
A Landmark Deal for Cricket Gaming
Reports indicate the ICC is in advanced discussions to back LightFury Games, a move that could reshape how cricket engages with its global fanbase in the digital realm. The potential partnership is expected to provide LightFury Games with the official licensing to develop and distribute cricket games featuring the ICC's brand and intellectual property on mobile devices, personal computers, and gaming consoles.This broad access is particularly noteworthy, as few studios manage to secure such extensive multi-platform rights in a single agreement.[indiantelevision+3]
The ICC has actively sought to expand its presence in the gaming ecosystem, having invited bids for an official cricket game. This initiative attracted interest from several major gaming companies, including Electronic Arts and Krafton, highlighting the competitive nature of the space.Investing in a startup like LightFury Games would signal a strategic shift for the governing body, aiming to foster innovation and reach cricket's estimated 2.5 billion global audience through interactive digital experiences.[digit+3]
Karan Shroff, Co-Founder and CEO of LightFury Games, has previously articulated a vision for Indian gaming. "India has long been a gaming market, but now it is starting to build," Shroff told The Economic Times. "We want to show that India can create world-class gaming IP (intellectual property) for global audiences."This reported deal with the ICC would significantly elevate LightFury's profile and support that ambition.[m+1]
LightFury's Vision and Strong Backing
Founded in 2024, LightFury Games is an AAA-focused game-tech studio committed to developing high-quality, cutting-edge gaming experiences.The company was established by industry veterans Karan Shroff, Anurag Banerjee, and Tina Balachandran, who bring extensive experience from game development, publishing, and live-service operations.LightFury's primary focus is on building immersive AAA titles, initially for mobile platforms, with plans to expand to consoles and PC.[prnewswire+9]
The studio is currently developing "eCricket," a next-generation sports simulation game designed to reimagine cricket for the digital era.Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game promises hyper-realistic esports cricket with multiplayer modes, AI-driven gameplay, and support for various devices.LightFury Games aims to launch "eCricket" on mobile platforms in 2026, followed by PC and console versions around 2027-28.To ensure authenticity, the company has already secured a global player roster license for over 600 professional cricketers, including international stars like Chris Gayle, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Pat Cummins.This license, obtained through Winners Alliance in partnership with the World Cricketers' Association, grants LightFury rights to player names, likenesses, and performance attributes.[tracxn+16]
LightFury Games has attracted significant investment, raising a total of $19.5 million across two funding rounds.Its latest funding round, an $11 million Pre-Series A in April 2026, saw participation from prominent investors such as Blume Ventures, V3 Ventures, MIXI, and Times Internet.Notably, this round also included strategic investments from several top Indian cricketers, including MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Tilak Varma, and Sai Sudharsan.The company's current valuation stands at ₹450 crore.[tracxn+13]
MS Dhoni, one of the cricketer investors, expressed his belief in the studio's potential. "I've seen a lot of cricket games over the years, and there's always been something missing," Dhoni said. "When LightFury showed me what they were working on, I felt they were trying to close that gap." Karthik Reddy, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Blume Ventures, reiterated confidence in LightFury's mission. "We've backed LightFury from inception, in their mission to pioneer a new generation of Indian gaming studios, building IPs with global ambition," Reddy stated. "Building a AAA game is neither easy nor quick - it takes sustained creative excellence, deep technical expertise, and long-term discipline."[tracxn+1]
Tapping into a Massive Global Market
This strategic partnership and investment come at a time of immense growth in the global gaming market, which is projected to surpass $400 billion in the coming years. India's gaming ecosystem is also experiencing rapid expansion, with projections estimating it will reach $9.89 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of more than 14% between 2026 and 2031. LightFury Games is positioning itself to be at the forefront of India's emergence as a global game development hub.[prnewswire+5]
Despite cricket's massive global audience of over 2.5 billion, the sport still lacks a definitive, high-quality gaming title comparable to established franchises in football or basketball. Arjun Vaidya, Managing Partner of V3 Ventures, highlighted this gap, noting, "Cricket... still does not have a definitive game in the way football, basketball or American football do." LightFury aims to fill this void by delivering a technically advanced, competitive, and live-service-driven cricket e-game franchise from India.[prnewswire+5]
The involvement of high-profile cricketers as investors offers LightFury Games a unique marketing advantage. Their presence not only provides capital but also lends significant credibility and can help attract users by tapping into their vast fan bases. Karan Shroff's broader vision extends to building the "Tencent of India," referencing the Chinese technology giant known for its dominance in gaming and digital entertainment. This ambition suggests plans that go beyond a single cricket game, aiming to create a diverse portfolio of world-class gaming intellectual property.[prnewswire+4]
Future Outlook and Industry Impact
LightFury Games plans to deploy its newly raised capital to complete the development of "eCricket" and strengthen its live operations capabilities. This includes building post-launch infrastructure, content pipelines, and systems designed to deliver a high-quality, continuously evolving player experience at scale. The game is expected to be free-to-play, incorporating in-app purchases for items like player cards, cosmetic upgrades, stadium enhancements, and season passes. Importantly, the company emphasizes that there will be no "pay-to-win" elements, allowing users to progress without spending money, while optional purchases offer faster progression and customization.[prnewswire+8]
This reported partnership with the ICC underscores India's growing importance in the global gaming landscape, shifting from a market primarily focused on consumption and outsourcing to one capable of creating original, globally competitive intellectual property. If finalized, the deal could set a new precedent for sports governing bodies investing directly in gaming startups, further blurring the lines between traditional sports and esports. LightFury Games is poised to make a significant impact, aiming to deliver a definitive cricket gaming experience that resonates with fans worldwide and establishes India as a powerhouse in premium sports game development.[m+2]
