Sports
Vida Knights Electrifying Box Cricket crowns champions in Kolkata
KKR fan tournament sees 32 teams battle over three days; Joy Game Changers lift inaugural title on 21 February 2026.
MUMBAI: Kolkata’s streets just hosted a cricket revolution because when fans swap the stands for the pitch, every boundary feels like a personal six. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), in partnership with Vida powered by Hero, wrapped up their first large-scale fan-only box cricket tournament, Vida Knights Electrifying Box Cricket, from 19–21 February 2026. The high-energy, grassroots event transformed neighbourhood pride into competitive fire, giving amateur players, fan clubs, and local heroes a professionally run stage inside the Knight Riders universe.
Across three non-stop days, 32 teams of 10 players each fought through group stages and knockouts in a fast-paced format packed with innovation. Joy Game Changers emerged as inaugural champions, with Knights Dé Xtreme taking runners-up honours after a weekend of noise, skill, and bragging rights that echoed Kolkata’s deep cricket passion.
Adding star power to the mix, one of the 32 teams featured popular local creators Neel Bhattacharya, Dasoham, Rahul Dey, Saiket Dey, and Nirit Datta blending digital fandom with on-ground action in a format that erased the line between watching and playing.
The tournament reimagined box cricket with Vida-branded twists, bonus targets rewarded precision shots (nodding to the scooter’s removable battery), the Vida Electric Over doubled every run and banned dismissals for explosive momentum, and the Impact Player rule let teams unleash a game-changer at clutch moments. Matches stayed unpredictable and adrenaline-charged right to the final delivery.
Knight Riders Sports group chief marketing officer Binda Dey said, “Cricket has always lived in the heart of Kolkata. With VIDA Knights Electrifying Box Cricket, we took the game back to the fans in a format that’s fast, accessible, and powered by participation.”
Motocorp chief business officer of Hero emerging mobility business unit Kausalya Nandakumar added, “Our association with KKR is rooted in confidence, resilience, and aspiration. VIDA Knights Electrifying Box Cricket brings cricket’s unmatched passion to the streets, creating a platform where supporters not only watch but play and engage.”
For a city where cricket isn’t just followed but lived, this tournament proved fandom runs deepest when it’s played on the same turf electric shots, community cheers, and zero distance between hero and hero-worshipper.
Sports
After Virat Kohli’s exit, One8 Commune Bengaluru shuts down
Outlet near Chinnaswamy closes amid rent row, compliance issues mount
BENGALURU: The One8 Commune outlet near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has shut down following a court order, bringing a turbulent chapter for the high-profile dining destination to a close.
The immediate trigger was a legal dispute over unpaid dues. The outlet, operated by Trio Hills Hospitality, had reportedly defaulted on rent payments for nearly six months. Including maintenance charges and revenue share commitments, the outstanding amount is said to have crossed Rs 2 crore. A Bengaluru civil court subsequently directed the closure of the premises until all financial obligations are cleared.
The shutdown comes months after Virat Kohli, whose brand name lent the outlet its identity, had already distanced himself from the Bengaluru franchise. According to reports, concerns around repeated compliance-related issues prompted his team to withdraw the association. The removal of the One8 branding is believed to have impacted footfall, further straining the business.
The outlet had also faced regulatory scrutiny over the years. In 2024, authorities booked the establishment for operating beyond the 1:00 am curfew. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike had issued notices over missing fire safety clearances, while an FIR was filed for violating tobacco regulations by not providing a designated smoking zone under applicable laws.
In response to the closure, the brand maintained that the issue stemmed from building-level compliance responsibilities linked to the property owner rather than operational lapses on its part. It also denied that financial default was the primary reason, reiterating that customer safety remained a priority.
For now, the shutters remain down. While a reopening is theoretically possible if disputes are resolved, the absence of Kohli’s brand association makes a return under the One8 banner increasingly unlikely.
