Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella welcomes Virat Kohli to LinkedIn

# Satya Nadella Welcomes Virat Kohli to LinkedIn Following Cricketer’s First Post

Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella has welcomed former India cricket captain Virat Kohli to LinkedIn after the cricketer published his first post on the professional networking platform. Kohli used his debut post to outline his vision for India’s sports industry and announce his latest business ventures.

Nadella, whose company Microsoft owns LinkedIn, congratulated Kohli on the next phase of his entrepreneurial journey. His response quickly attracted attention as Kohli began establishing a presence on the platform, traditionally associated with professional networking, careers and business development.

“I’ve always wanted to see an India where every sport is followed, celebrated, and played. Today, that vision feels closer than ever. A new generation is proving that India can produce world-class athletes and build brands for the global stage,” Kohli wrote in his introductory post.

The former India captain described his ambition to help develop an end-to-end sports ecosystem originating in India. His vision encompasses manufacturing, consumer brands and sports distribution, with the broader goal of positioning India as a contributor to the global sports industry rather than simply a participant.

Kohli also announced that he had joined Agilitas as an investor and taken on the roles of co-founder and co-creator at one8world. He described the one8 brand as being built around challenging conventions, raising standards and approaching opportunities in new ways.

The cricketer also reflected on seeing one8world come to life in front of thousands of people in his hometown, describing the moment as an important milestone in the journey.

“The vision is clear. It’s time to build something that will outlive all of us. That’s the journey we’re on,” Kohli added.

Nadella responded directly to the post, writing, “My feed just got even more interesting. Welcome to LinkedIn, Virat! And congrats on your next chapter with one8world.”

Kohli’s arrival on LinkedIn generated considerable interest, with reports indicating that his follower count exceeded 240,000 within the first 24 hours. His presence adds another prominent Indian cricketer to the platform, joining figures such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja and Robin Uthappa.

Kumaresh Pattabiraman, LinkedIn India’s country manager, also welcomed Kohli to the network. He noted that the cricketer’s entrepreneurial experience could inspire professionals looking to build businesses, explore new opportunities and develop careers beyond a single field.

Pattabiraman said LinkedIn had 185 million members in India and more than one billion professionals worldwide, using the platform to connect, learn and grow their businesses.

Kohli’s LinkedIn debut comes amid his expanding involvement in the sports business. According to a report by *The Economic Times*, Kohli sold the One8 sportswear and athleisure brand to Agilitas Sports and acquired a minority stake in the company in December 2025. The transaction reportedly followed the end of his eight-year endorsement partnership with Puma India.

Agilitas has attracted several high-profile investors and personalities from Indian entertainment and sport. Among those associated with the company are actor Anushka Sharma, former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh, singer Hardy Sandhu and Indian batter Abhishek Sharma.

Through his new ventures, Kohli appears focused on extending his influence beyond cricket and contributing to the development of Indian sports brands. His LinkedIn debut provides a new platform to communicate that ambition to business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals, while Nadella’s public welcome has further amplified attention around the move.