Batter Up: Real Cricket Meets Console Tech
MetaShot, the gaming startup swinging for the fences with its cricket-focused smart console tech, just got a big boost. The Bengaluru-based Gillidanda Tech Pvt. Ltd., the company behind MetaShot, has raised Rs 2 crore in convertible debt from the Karnataka Information Technology Venture Capital Fund (KITVEN) — an AIF backed by the Karnataka government.
What’s MetaShot All About?
Think Wii Sports, but desi and laser-focused on cricket. MetaShot’s flagship product, the MetaShot Smart Bat, uses patent-pending tech to track real-world cricket shots in real-time. That data syncs with its MetaShot app to offer a console-like cricket experience that feels more Sachin Tendulkar than stick-figure simulations.
Whether you’re smashing sixes or just practicing your straight drive, MetaShot makes sure every flick of the wrist and turn of the bat is mirrored in-game with uncanny precision. It’s like VR cricket, minus the nausea and with 100% more gully cricket nostalgia.
Past Funding Innings
This Rs 2 crore round isn’t MetaShot’s first over-the-boundary moment. Back in January 2025, the company raised Rs 11 crore in equity and debt from Sauce.VC, Sharrp Ventures, and Panthera Peak Capital. Even before that, in 2023, they scored \$400,000 in pre-seed funding led by Inflection Point Ventures, along with a gaming-focused early-stage fund and several angel investors.
Clearly, investors are seeing the potential of bringing a controller-free, sports-centric gaming experience to the masses. Think “Xbox Kinect meets IPL” with a Made-in-India twist.
Meet the Founders: The Power Trio
MetaShot was founded in 2021 by Prince Thomas, Ranjit Kumar Behera, and Ajith Sunny — a trio that combines tech chops, gaming passion, and entrepreneurial grit. These aren’t just cricket fans with a startup dream; they’re engineers and creators who saw the potential of bridging physical sports with digital immersion.
Their vision? To transform the way people engage with sports at home. Not by passively watching, but by getting up, swinging, scoring, and sweating. All without stepping onto an actual pitch.
Why This Matters
- Government Backing: Getting KITVEN’s support isn’t just about cash — it’s a strong signal of local confidence in gaming innovation.
- Cricket + Tech = Massive Market: With cricket being practically a religion in India, MetaShot’s hybrid of physical play and digital immersion hits a sweet spot.
- Growing Trend of Active Gaming: As people look for healthier screen time and fun fitness options, MetaShot is stepping up with something that burns calories and brain cells.
- Beyond Cricket: The founders are eyeing other sports like tennis, baseball, and even football, aiming to build an entire ecosystem of motion-based sports games for Indian households.
Can It Really Hit It Out of the Park?
Let’s be honest — gaming hardware is a tough arena. But MetaShot seems to have cracked a formula that taps into national passions (cricket), practical tech (affordable smart hardware), and a new genre of gameplay (active mixed-reality sports). If they can scale manufacturing, deliver content consistently, and maintain that sweet blend of fun and fitness, they might just become the next big homegrown success story.
Also, imagine the local tournaments: your dad facing off against your kid brother in the living room finals of “MetaShot Cricket League 2025.” Now that’s esport potential.
The Road Ahead
With fresh funds in hand and a growing fan base of casual and hardcore gamers alike, MetaShot is positioned to push deeper into market expansion and tech refinement. They’re betting on the idea that Indian gamers want more than touchscreens and tap mechanics — they want to feel the swing.
Expect to see MetaShot expanding to malls, gyms, and schools, offering interactive zones where kids and adults can engage with sports games without screens dominating their faces. Think of it as the evolution of the arcade, but with motion sensors and a lot more cardio.
Are You Game?
Would you trade your controller for a bat if it meant playing cricket like a pro in your living room? MetaShot thinks you might. Let us know if this is the kind of hybrid gameplay you’d try, or if you’d rather stick to your sweaty Apex Legends lobbies.
Follow GotGameNews for more updates on the Indian gaming startup scene and real-life gaming tech breakthroughs. And hey, maybe do a few warm-up stretches — the future of gaming might be more physical than you think.
