Bollywood actor and entrepreneur Suniel Shetty has expanded his footprint in the digital sports industry by acquiring the Pune franchise in the second season of the Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL). The league, organized by JetSynthesys, is set to take place in Bengaluru from April 27 to May 2.
GEPL, positioned as India’s first and largest franchise-based e-cricket league, merges traditional cricket fandom with competitive online gameplay. Shetty, a long-time supporter of the sport, joins the league not only as a celebrity face but also as an investor, bringing experience from his previous engagements in sports-focused ventures.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the venture, Shetty stated, “Cricket has always been close to my heart—from playing it, supporting it, to now investing in its digital future. GEPL is redefining how fans engage with the game, and I’m excited to be part of a league that’s breaking new ground and igniting passion among India’s youth through e-cricket.”
JetSynthesys founder and CEO Rajan Navani welcomed Shetty’s association, emphasizing that his involvement adds credibility and visibility to the growing e-cricket ecosystem. “His enduring love for cricket, combined with his entrepreneurial drive and youth-centric approach, makes him an ideal partner to take GEPL forward,” Navani remarked.
Since its debut, GEPL has witnessed rapid growth, with player registrations soaring from 200,000 in Season 1 to over 910,000 this year. Season 2 will feature 34 matches and a prize pool of ₹3.05 crore, further solidifying its position as a premier e-cricket competition.
With Shetty’s entry into the league, GEPL continues to bridge the gap between traditional sports and digital entertainment, paving the way for a new era in competitive e-cricket.
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