Sachin Tendulkar invests in Metasports Interactive, Hitwicket’s developer

Investment and growth trajectory

Metasports Interactive, the developer of the mobile cricket strategy game Hitwicket, has secured Sachin Tendulkar as a strategic investor and brand ambassador. The financial terms of the investment, including the amount and valuation, were not disclosed, according to Inc42 and YourStory.

Tendulkar’s involvement extends beyond funding. He will feature in Hitwicket’s in-game experiences, content, and brand activations, reinforcing the startup’s focus on cricket-centric engagement. This follows an earlier undisclosed investment by commentator Harsha Bhogle in 2024, signaling growing interest from cricket personalities in the gaming sector.

The startup has raised over $23 million cumulatively over the past six years. Its largest funding round was a $20 million non-dilutive facility from London-based Metica in April, earmarked for user acquisition and international expansion. Existing investors include Prime Venture Partners and Singapore’s Horizon Ventures.

Market presence and financial performance

Hitwicket, a strategy-based cricket game, allows players to manage virtual teams and make tactical decisions in real time. The game has amassed over 20 million users across 120 countries, with players spending an average of 51 minutes daily on the platform. Metasports Interactive aims to reach 100 million downloads within the next three years.

The startup’s revenue doubled over the past six months, with 97% of its income derived from in-app purchases. This financial growth reflects the broader trends in India’s gaming market, which had 511 million players and generated $1.04 billion in revenue in 2025, per YourStory.

Competitive landscape and regulatory context

Tendulkar’s investment comes as Bengaluru-based rival LightFury Games prepares to launch its own cricket game, eCricket, backed by cricketers like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. LightFury raised $11 million in pre-Series A funding earlier this year, highlighting the intensifying competition in the cricket gaming segment.

The broader industry is also navigating regulatory changes. India’s Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which took effect on May 1, 2026, prohibits online money games and establishes a framework for e-sports and social games, including user-safety and grievance-redressal requirements. Metasports Interactive’s reliance on in-app purchases aligns with this regulatory environment.

What this means

Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.

Tendulkar’s investment is a high-profile signal of confidence in Metasports Interactive’s business model, particularly its focus on strategy-based cricket games rather than reflex-driven or gambling-adjacent formats. For founders and operators in India’s gaming sector, the deal underscores three key opportunities:

1. Monetisation through engagement: Hitwicket’s success with in-app purchases—97% of revenue—demonstrates that deep user engagement (51 minutes daily) can translate into sustainable revenue without relying on advertising or high-risk monetisation models. This is particularly relevant as regulatory scrutiny on online money games intensifies.

2. Global expansion from India: With users in 120 countries, Metasports Interactive proves that Indian gaming startups can compete internationally. The $20 million non-dilutive facility from Metica suggests that specialized growth financiers are now backing this potential.

3. Niche dominance: The startup’s focus on cricket strategy games, a segment with fewer competitors than battle royale or casual games, shows how carving out a distinct gameplay niche can attract both users and marquee investors. The impending launch of eCricket by LightFury Games, however, signals that this space is heating up—founders in similar niches may need to act fast to secure partnerships or funding.

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