Bengaluru, April 27, 2025:
Season 2 of the Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL), conceptualised and powered by digital entertainment and technology leader JetSynthesys, commenced today at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. Marking the first time that the city has hosted the national launch of the tournament, the event saw the convergence of key stakeholders from India’s business and entertainment sectors, underlining the growing mainstream acceptance of esports in the country.
The GEPL, one of India’s most structured franchise-led esports properties, combines the nation’s passion for cricket with the rapidly evolving landscape of competitive gaming. This season features six city-based franchises, each owned or co-owned by prominent figures:
Mumbai Grizzlies – Ms. Sara Tendulkar, entrepreneur and philanthropist
Delhi Sharks – Mr. Peyush Bansal, Founder and CEO, Lenskart
Bengaluru Badgers – Mr. Nikhil Kamath (Co-founder, Zerodha & True Beacon), Mr. Ankit Nagori (Founder, Curefoods), and Mr. Prashant Prakash (Founding Partner, Accel India)
Chennai Falcons – Mr. Gopal Srinivasan (Chairman, TVS Capital Funds), Mr. Madhusudanan R (Founder, YAP), and Mr. Arjun Santhanakrishnan (Investor and Entrepreneur)
Hyderabad Rhinos – Mr. Amit Mehta, Director, LNB Group
Pune Stallions – Mr. Suniel Shetty, actor and investor
The inaugural day featured four high-energy matches, including double headers for the Bengaluru Badgers and Mumbai Grizzlies. The tournament will be broadcast live on JioHotstar and Star Sports, bringing e-cricket to a nationwide audience.
Addressing the media at the launch event, Mr. Rajan Navani, Founder and CEO of JetSynthesys, stated, “GEPL reflects our commitment to creating structured, scalable formats that merge India’s gaming and sports cultures. With Bengaluru hosting the launch and leading business minds backing the league, Season 2 represents a major step toward making esports a mainstream, aspirational, and commercially sustainable sector.”
Commenting on the home team, Bengaluru Badgers, co-owner Mr. Prashant Prakash highlighted the opportunity for e-cricket to foster new sporting icons, akin to traditional cricket heroes. Co-owner Mr. Ankit Nagori emphasized Bengaluru’s alignment with talent, technology, and youth culture, making it an ideal hub for esports. Meanwhile, Mr. Gopal Srinivasan, co-owner of Chennai Falcons, described GEPL as a significant stride toward building a sustainable esports ecosystem in India. Mr. Amit Mehta, owner of Hyderabad Rhinos, praised the platform for its role in amplifying young voices and creating opportunities for emerging esports athletes.
Mr. Rohit Potphode, CEO of GEPL, added, “The energy and enthusiasm witnessed on opening day has set the perfect tone for the tournament. Season 2 aims to elevate the e-cricket experience for players and fans alike.”
This year, GEPL has witnessed a remarkable fivefold surge in player registrations, growing from 2 lakh in Season 1 to over 9.1 lakh. The league will feature 34 matches, powered by the latest edition of Real Cricket 24, with an enhanced prize pool of ₹3.05 crore, compared to ₹2.51 crore in the previous season.
Season 2 promises to deliver next-level esports action, further blurring the lines between traditional cricket and immersive digital gaming.
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