MAM
Dream Sports appoints Arpith Kanade to lead Dream Cricket studio
Gaming veteran with 15-plus years joins as mobile title hits 25 million users in first year.
MUMBAI: Dream Cricket just pulled off the ultimate player signing because when your game’s smashing records, you need a veteran to keep the scoreboard ticking. Dream Sports has brought in industry stalwart Arpith Kanade to head the studio behind its breakout mobile cricket title, Dream Cricket, which has surged to 25 million users in its debut year, one of the fastest-growing cricket games worldwide. The appointment, announced on 24 February 2026, puts Kanade in charge of the game’s long-term roadmap, from product tweaks to cracking overseas markets.
With over 15 years in gaming spanning product strategy, live operations, and monetisation Kanade’s CV boasts leadership at Zynga (shaping FarmVille 2) and a founding role at 99Games across multiple genres. His fresh mandate comes as cricket’s global buzz builds, including its Olympic return in 2028, opening doors for digital experiences to hook fans beyond India.
Kanade said, “Cricket’s growing international footprint… presents a fresh opportunity for digital cricket experiences to reach new audiences. The focus will be on building a game that resonates not just with Indian fans but with players worldwide.”
For a title already rewriting mobile cricket’s growth charts, Kanade’s arrival feels like the perfect cover drive poised to turn viral momentum into a boundary-clearing legacy, one swipe at a time.
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
