Kabuni launches AI cricket coaching platform with Ganguly and AB

MUMBAI: A cover drive may soon come with instant feedback and perhaps even a nod from Sourav Ganguly. Kabuni, an AI-powered sports technology platform, has made its global debut in Mumbai, betting that the future of cricket coaching lies not in exclusive academies, but in the smartphone sitting in a young player’s pocket. Launched at its Playtime 2026 event, the platform aims to bring elite-level coaching to aspiring cricketers through artificial intelligence, while tackling a challenge that concerns many modern parents: too much screen time and too little play.

Positioning itself at the crossroads of sport, technology and youth development, Kabuni combines real-time performance analysis with personalised coaching insights, turning everyday practice sessions into data-driven learning experiences. Its larger ambition is straightforward but ambitious democratising access to high-quality coaching that has traditionally been reserved for players with access to elite academies and specialist trainers.

To lend both credibility and star power to the initiative, Kabuni has unveiled a line-up of “Super Coaches” featuring former India captain Sourav Ganguly, South African great AB de Villiers, Australian World Cup winner Shane Watson and Indian batter Shreyas Iyer. The quartet will play a key role in mentoring and inspiring young players through interactive challenges, training programmes and youth competitions hosted on the platform.

At the centre of Kabuni’s offering is its proprietary technology stack, Kabuni PlayOS. The AI engine analyses live play in real time, evaluating elements such as timing, balance, alignment, footwork and sequencing before delivering instant feedback. Drawing on performance data from some of the world’s leading cricketers, the system aims to provide insights that were once accessible only inside high-performance coaching environments.

The launch also marks the beginning of Kabuni’s first major grassroots initiative, the nationwide campaign Do You Want to Play for a Legend? The programme invites cricketers aged 12 to 16 from across India to compete for places in teams led by the platform’s Super Coaches.

Participants will train using the Kabuni platform, progress through nationwide trials and compete for selection into final squads that will eventually contest a national youth tournament at a landmark cricket venue. The initiative is designed to create a more structured pathway for young talent, particularly those who may not have access to traditional coaching networks.

For founder Nimesh Patel, the platform is rooted in a deeply personal mission. Inspired by the role sport played in his own life, Patel believes technology can help bridge long-standing gaps in access, opportunity and development.

“For too many young cricketers in India, the biggest barriers are access to high-quality coaching, competitive pathways and consistent development,” Patel said. “By combining AI-powered coaching with new youth competitions, we’re creating a platform where every young player can train, improve and be recognised, wherever they are and whatever their background.”

India was chosen as Kabuni’s launch market for strategic reasons. With one of the world’s largest cricket-playing populations and an increasingly digital-first youth audience, the country offers fertile ground for testing and scaling the platform. Following an initial rollout in India and partnerships with governing bodies, Kabuni plans to expand internationally later this year.

The move comes as sports technology companies increasingly look beyond professional athletes and target grassroots participation. AI-powered performance analysis, once confined to elite teams and expensive academies, is rapidly becoming more accessible, opening new possibilities for talent identification and player development.

Kabuni believes that shift could fundamentally change how young athletes learn the game. Rather than replacing coaches, the platform is designed to complement them, providing additional insights and personalised guidance while helping schools, academies and organisations deliver coaching at scale.

As cricket continues to embrace technology, Kabuni is betting that the next generation’s coach won’t always be standing beside the nets. Sometimes, it might simply be waiting inside their phone.