Sports retail startup PlayBlue has appointed cricketer KL Rahul as an investor and brand ambassador, according to Inc42. This partnership coincides with the company’s plan to open its first major physical location in Bengaluru and launch its mobile application on Saturday, November 14. The venture was established in 2025 by Satyam Trivedi, formerly of GMR Sports, and Jayam Vora, a former executive at Cult.fit. The company previously raised $2.7 million in seed funding during July, a round co-led by Centre Court Capital and MIXI Global, with additional participation from WEH Ventures.
The new outlet, located on 80 Feet Road in Bengaluru, spans 20,000 square feet. It features three shopping levels, a café, and an upper terrace. The inventory covers athletic wear, footwear, gear, and nutritional supplements. The retailer intends to differentiate itself through technical assessments, including gait analysis and treadmill testing. Customers can also use sensors to evaluate cricket bats. The report notes that the store will handle maintenance tasks like racquet stringing and bicycle repairs.
The upper terrace, designated as The Playground, includes a pickleball court and a futsal pitch. A cricket net with a bowling machine is also installed there. The company plans to host community classes and sports events in this area. Jayam Vora explained that the founders created the space they wished to visit. He stated that Rahul’s involvement adds value because the cricketer understands the importance of proper equipment. Inc42 reported this comment from the founder.
PlayBlue aims to operate more than 100 locations in 25 cities over five years. The business sells products through both physical shops and an online platform. Rahul has previously invested in companies such as Boldfit and Flam. The Indian sports market is expected to reach $130 billion by fiscal year 2030. Despite this growth, funding for startups in the sector has been cautious. Other recent deals include Boldfit raising ₹400 crore in October and SportVot securing ₹32.7 crore in April.