Gaming
Hitwicket partners with Harsha Bhogle for innovative cricket gaming experiences worldwide
Mumbai: Strategy-driven cricket gaming startup, Hitwicket partners with iconic cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle to enhance the cricket gaming experience of fans worldwide. Harsha Bhogle will play the role of a strategic investor and infuse his expert insights to craft first-of-its-kind cricket content with Hitwicket, merging his extensive cricketing knowledge with the virtual world of mobile gaming. With over five million downloads globally, Hitwicket is a virtual world where every user plays the role of an owner, coach, and captain of a cricket team, ensuring enduring engagement. Harsha Bhogle’s involvement is expected to enhance Hitwicket’s global outreach to 50 million downloads within the next two years.
Harsha Bhogle is a renowned figure in the global cricket broadcasting industry with over 40 years of experience as a cricket commentator. His extensive knowledge and passion for the game have solidified his status as “The Voice of Cricket”. Hitwicket’s vision of revolutionizing mobile cricket gaming and its potential to enhance the sport in new markets around the world led to Harsha’s involvement with the brand. Hitwicket aims to leverage Harsha’s unparalleled cricketing expertise to co-create unique gaming experiences for cricket fans around the world.
Hitwicket has evolved over the years introducing new segments through technology gaining recognition for developing a game that strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and depth. On average an Indian gamer spends 3.4 hours per week on mid-core games, while Hitwicket’s users spend 4.9 hours per week on the app, showcasing its strong appeal to cricket enthusiasts worldwide. 19 per cent of Hitwicket’s user base is women, one of the highest for any sports game, and its interface and gameplay cater to ages 10 to 60 making it simple to play. Hitwicket is played in 109 countries around the world with India, Australia, UK, and USA being the top four markets. Cricket is slowly gaining recognition in the USA with Major League Cricket and the country will also be hosting the upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup in June 2024. Notable franchise owners like Satya Nadella, Shah Rukh Khan, and Mukesh Ambani are among those backing the sport’s growth in the region. Hitwicket has managed to create a gateway for American audiences to understand the sport as they have grown 2X in the last three months in the market, with 40 per cent of the users experiencing cricket for the very first time with Hitwicket.
Commenting on the investment, Harsha Bhogle stated, “I’m thrilled to join Hitwicket as an investor and contribute to the evolution of mobile cricket gaming. Hitwicket’s innovative approach and commitment to delivering an immersive gaming experience make it a standout player in the industry. Hitwicket’s potential to build a global gaming franchise is truly inspiring. I’m looking forward to Hitwicket’s potential to be the Made in India cricket game that unites India with the rest of the world and elevates the country’s profile in mobile cricket gaming. Its global promise signifies that a game from India can indeed touch the world.”
Hitwicket co-founders Keerti Singh and Kashyap Reddy, expressed their excitement about Mr. Bhogle’s involvement, stating, “We are thrilled to have Mr. Bhogle on board. His extensive experience, insights into cricket, and passion for the game will be invaluable assets for us. Having met Mr. Bhogle last month and discussed the vision and potential of Hitwicket, we are even more excited to have him join us as an investor. With Mr. Bhogle’s guidance, we are confident that Hitwicket will continue to scale new heights and establish itself as a global leader in the gaming industry.”
As Hitwicket continues its exciting journey, the company remains committed to shaping the future of mobile gaming as a leading cricket brand from India, engaging users worldwide. In a landscape dominated by international titles, Hitwicket stands out as a unique Indian game, recognized for its innovation and immersive gameplay experience. It is well-positioned to become the first Made in India game for India and the world, captivating sports enthusiasts from both domestic and global markets.
Gaming
S8ul wins India qualifier for Pokémon Unite Worlds 2026
Fourth qualification; to compete for $500,000 in San Francisco 28–30 Aug.
MUMBAI: If consistency were a power-up, S8ul would be permanently maxed out. S8ul has once again stamped its authority on India’s Pokémon Unite scene, clinching the India Qualifier for the World Championship Series 2026 and booking a spot at the global finals in San Francisco. The win marks a record fourth appearance for S8ul at the world championship, more than any other Indian team. Even more telling: across five Indian qualifiers held so far, the team has now won four, underlining a grip on the title that looks less like dominance and more like routine.
The road to qualification was clinical. Playing a double-elimination format, S8ul swept past Anti Secure, GodLike and Team QML with identical 2-0 victories in the upper bracket. The final hurdle, however, demanded nerve. In a best-of-five grand final, they edged out Revenant XSpark 3-2 in a tightly fought series.
Led by captain Manmohan Singh (All Might), alongside Anklesh Satelkar (Novaa), Darshan Nate (Kai), Naitik Jain (Wolf) and Md Sarim Hasan (Qing), the team combined composure with adaptability two traits that have become their trademark in high-pressure matches.
For their victory, S8ul secured $15,000 (approximately Rs 14.1 lakh) from the qualifier’s $25,000 prize pool (around Rs 23.5 lakh). The bigger prize, however, awaits, a shot at the $500,000 (roughly Rs 4.7 crore) global pool at the World Championships, scheduled from August 28 to 30.
The result adds to what has already been a packed trophy cabinet in 2026. S8ul’s BGMI roster lifted the BGIS 2026 title, its Valorant squad won VCSA Split 1, and its Apex Legends team delivered a top-five finish at the ALGS 2026 Championship, the best-ever by an Indian organisation. Even beyond esports, Grandmaster Nihal Sarin’s Menorca Open win adds to the collective momentum.
With selection as one of 40 global Club Partners by the Esports Foundation for the Esports World Cup 2026, S8ul is now eyeing qualification across 13 titles, ranging from Apex Legends and BGMI to Street Fighter 6 and Trackmania.
For now, though, all roads lead to San Francisco. And if past form is any indicator, S8UL won’t just be showing up, they’ll be showing up to win.
