Bengaluru-based LightFury Games could receive first ICC startup investment

By Rohan Gupta — 14 July 2026 — 4 min read

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly in advanced discussions to make its initial investment in a startup, with Bengaluru-based game-tech company LightFury Games identified as a leading candidate. This potential move could redefine the landscape of cricket gaming.

Reports indicate that the ICC is nearing a deal to support the gaming studio, which would mark the governing body’s first direct investment in a startup. Furthermore, LightFury Games has reportedly secured the ICC’s official gaming rights across mobile, PC, and console platforms globally.

If this partnership is finalised, it would be a rare instance of a gaming company being granted rights simultaneously across all three major platforms. This would provide LightFury Games with an extensive opportunity to develop cricket gaming experiences for a broad audience.

Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Bengaluru, LightFury Games specialises in creating premium cross-platform titles for international players. The studio was established by experienced professionals from the gaming industry, bringing expertise in game development, publishing, and live-service operations.

While LightFury Games focuses on developing original intellectual property, it has also been involved in licensed gaming projects. The reported collaboration with the ICC would significantly enhance its profile, granting it access to one of the world’s largest and most dedicated sports fan communities.

When questioned, the ICC did not confirm the development but suggested that an announcement might be forthcoming. An ICC spokesperson stated that while they are not in a position to confirm details at present, an announcement is expected in the coming weeks. LightFury Games chose not to comment on the report.

Should the deal proceed, it would signify a notable shift in the ICC’s digital strategy. This reflects the increasing importance of interactive entertainment as sports organisations seek to enhance fan engagement beyond traditional broadcast rights and live events.

The potential investment also highlights the growing prominence of India’s game development sector, with a young Bengaluru startup potentially securing one of cricket’s most valuable global licenses. The proposed partnership is seen as a way for the ICC to deepen fan engagement beyond traditional broadcasting and sponsorships.

LightFury Games’ Ambitions

LightFury Games is developing ‘E-Cricket’, a AAA cricket title designed for multiple platforms. This game aims to offer real-time multiplayer gameplay, support for mobile, PC, and console, and high-quality graphics and gameplay. The company’s goal is to create global competitive cricket experiences, potentially featuring official ICC branding and tournaments if the deal is finalised.

The studio hopes to establish a cricket gaming franchise that can rival leading football video game series in scale. This ambition is supported by a leadership team with experience from major gaming companies, including Ubisoft, Electronic Arts, Tencent Games, and Improbable.

LightFury Games has already attracted several notable investors, including MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Shreyas Iyer, and Ravindra Jadeja. Other supporters include Blume Ventures, V3 Ventures, MIXI, and Times Internet. The startup has reportedly raised approximately $20 million across various funding rounds.

ICC’s Strategic Move into Gaming

The ICC views gaming as a crucial avenue for expanding cricket’s global reach. Gaming has emerged as one of the fastest-growing forms of sports entertainment, and cricket, despite its popularity, remains a relatively underdeveloped segment compared to sports like football and basketball in the gaming world.

India is recognised as one of the world’s largest gaming markets, driven by hundreds of millions of active gamers, rapid smartphone adoption, increasing spending on in-app purchases, and a growing interest in esports. Despite cricket’s immense popularity in the country, the sport has yet to produce a globally successful AAA gaming franchise.

The potential partnership could accelerate investment in Indian game development, boost cricket’s digital ecosystem, and increase global esports opportunities. It could also encourage more sports organisations to support gaming startups and strengthen India’s AAA game development ecosystem. This deal would represent a rare instance of an international sports governing body taking an equity stake in a gaming startup.

The proposed investment reflects the ICC’s increasing focus on digital engagement and the commercial potential of gaming. By collaborating with LightFury Games, the governing body could help create the first globally licensed AAA cricket game, opening new revenue streams beyond traditional media rights and sponsorships. For LightFury Games, securing both ICC investment and official gaming rights would provide significant credibility as it aims to build a world-class cricket gaming franchise capable of reaching players across mobile, PC, and console platforms.

Source: indiantelevision.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter