The last Sunday in Delhi turned magical when Virat Kohli launched his One8 brand globally at Yashobhoomi. The craze among fans to get a glimpse of their favourite cricketer knew no bounds, which intensified when singer Karan Aujla joined him on stage. But what became the centre of conversation was Virat Kohli's reply to Danish Sait's question.
For Virat Kohli, this is not just another venture. When you look closely at the brand, from the logo and shoe design to the pricing, everything mirrors a part of Kohli's journey. While the brand logo reflects his jersey number, the Seam XVIII Signature Test Red shoes are inspired by the look of a red Test cricket ball. Their pricing, Rs 9,230, mirrors the runs Kohli scored in his Test career. When asked about these symbolic prices or whether he wanted to take it to Rs 10,000 by coming back to Test cricket, a format he retired from in May 2025, he replied, “Nah nah, I would rather undersell it,” effectively ruling out speculation about a Test cricket comeback.
The shoe itself is built like a cricket ball
Though Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket, his love for the format endures and is reflected in the design of the Seam XVIII Signature Test Red shoes. The deep red colour and white stitching resemble a traditional red Test cricket ball, making the footwear a tribute to his favourite format of the game.
To finalise the design of the brand and shoes, Kohli personally worked with the creative team and reportedly rejected 17 designs before approving the final version, showcasing his commitment to taking this brand to the global level. In his own words, his vision is to reach such a height where it outgrows him and people forget who started it.
Why 9,230—and the 770 runs that almost weren't missing
For Kohli, cricket is embedded in every aspect of his life, and he extended that connection to the One8 collection. There are numerous references throughout the venture that connect with his cricketing journey. But what surprises or impresses people the most is the pricing: Rs 9,230 — a number equal to the Test runs he scored and 770 runs short of the 10,000-run milestone. Although he fell short by a few runs, he still ranks among India’s leading Test run-scorers. His ability to blend his on-field journey with brand storytelling places him as a visionary in the field.
What this says about Kohli, the brand-builder
As a co-founder of Agilitas, Kohli's vision is to make One8 India’s first global sports company, and this launch ensures that it is not just about selling merchandise but also about preserving the memory and emotion he felt throughout his journey. This is reflected properly in the narrative of the campaign — proof that even a shoe's MRP can be designed with the same obsessive precision Kohli is known for on the pitch.
