Cricket legend Virat Kohli to invest in World Bowling League
DUBAI: The World Bowling League has added Indian cricketing icon Virat Kohli as a new strategic investor after recently announcing MLB superstar and three-time World Series Champion Mookie Betts' Team OMG as the first franchise.
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With modernized gameplay, mixed-gender teams, and events expected to be held around the globe, the league — founded by Dubai-based Adi K. Mishra — is looking to transform traditional bowling into a mainstream spectator sport.
Kohli, a global sports icon, steps into the league with a personal connection to the lanes. 'I started bowling when I was 11 years old, spinning the ball by 12,' he said.
'It is evident how popular the sport is while being underappreciated as a business proposition. Adi K. Mishra's vision to redefine bowling is unique, and after our success with Team Blue Rising in the E1 series, I'm thrilled to join the WBL as an investor and partner.'
Kohli's popularity and influence as the third-most followed athlete on Instagram — behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi — amplifies the league's mission to inspire a new generation of fans.
Mishra, founder and CEO of League Sports Co., echoed Kohli's enthusiasm.
'Elite-level bowling is a world of intricate challenges — from lanes with unique topographies and thousands of 3D-printed oil patterns to balls that react differently with every roll.
'When I discovered Virat is also a bowler, it was exciting to align on this new-age vision for the sport. Virat's relentless drive for sports mirrors our own.
'Every week, we uncover more about bowling's global depth and fascinating history — it's a sleeping giant we're ready to awaken.'
With Team OMG owned by Betts already setting the tone, the WBL will soon announce more franchises.
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