KL Rahul joins PlayBlue as investor

Indian cricketer KL Rahul has joined sports retail startup PlayBlue as an investor and brand ambassador, as the company prepares to launch its flagship store and mobile application in Bengaluru on November 14.

Rahul's association comes as PlayBlue looks to establish an omnichannel sports retail network in India, combining physical stores with a digital platform. The company plans to expand to more than 100 stores across 25 Indian cities over the next five years.

The startup's 20,000 sq ft flagship store on 80 Feet Road in Bengaluru's Koramangala area will bring together more than 75 sports and lifestyle brands across apparel, footwear, sporting equipment, accessories, recovery products and sports nutrition. The three-floor facility will also feature a café and a rooftop recreational space.

As an investor, Rahul will hold a stake in the company, while his brand ambassador role will see him represent PlayBlue across marketing campaigns and consumer-facing initiatives. The financial details of his investment have not been disclosed.

“For any athlete, the right equipment and preparation matter the most. Whether it’s finding the right bat, the right pair of shoes or the right training gear, these things can make a real difference to how you play and perform,” Rahul said in a statement.

He added that he was drawn to PlayBlue's vision of making quality sports products more accessible and building a stronger sporting culture.

The retail experience will extend beyond product sales, with services such as gait analysis, treadmill-based footwear testing and cricket bat sensors. Customers will also be able to access services including racquet stringing, bat knocking and cycle servicing.

The rooftop space, named The Playground, will feature a pickleball court, a one-on-one futsal turf and a cricket net equipped with a bowling machine. It will also host community classes, recovery sessions and sports club events.

The PlayBlue app, launching alongside the flagship store, will offer quick deliveries across Bengaluru and a two-day delivery timeline for orders elsewhere in India.

Founded in 2025 by Satyam Trivedi, former CEO of GMR Sports, and Jayam Vora, a former Cult.fit executive, PlayBlue raised $2.7 million (approximately ₹25.7 crore) in seed funding in July. The round was co-led by Centre Court Capital and MIXI Global, with participation from WEH Ventures. The company plans to use the funding to build its retail presence and expand its e-commerce operations.

Rahul's entry as an investor and brand ambassador adds a prominent sporting figure to the startup's expansion plans as it seeks to tap into India's growing sports and active lifestyle market.