Anil Kumble’s Spektacom Technologies, in partnership with Microsoft, has just developed a brand new Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled Power Bat. With the ability to collect data required for every shot hit and the details displayed both to the audience and the players, the new bat is aimed at making cricket an increasingly interesting sport! The basic aim of the new Power Bat is to increase engagement between both the audience and the coaches, giving players the chance to improve their game by leaps and bounds!
A unique concept, the Power Bat has a Microsoft Azure Sphere sticker on its shoulder, whereby as soon as the batsman hits the ball, data on a wide range of parameters like speed on impact, twist on impact and quality of the shot are recorded, captured and processed. This processing and capturing is enabled with the help of a new measurement called Power Speks. The date derived from the Power Bat can be recorded during coaching and practice matches, giving the players a chance to improve their performance during the actual game.
“Our vision is to bring sports closer to fans through interesting ways of engagement using real time sports analytics. At the same time, it is important that the technologies used are seamless and do not disrupt the game or obstruct the players,” Anil Kumble said while talking about the new Power Bat. He further added, “With Microsoft, we have been able to create a secure and effective solution, and with Star India, we have a partner that can stimulate and excite fan engagement.”
Anil Kumble and Microsoft came together to redefine the way people played this much loved sport with this game changing bat! The Power Bat was revealed a couple of days ago and it is already touted to be the game changer for cricket as a sport by 2019!
Speaking about the collaboration, Anil Kumble tweeted,
Cashfree Payments has appointed Piyush Anchliya as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective April 15, 2025. Anchliya brings over 15 years of experience in investment banking, corporate finance, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions, with senior roles at Barclays, Bandhan Group, and most recently as CFO of Bandhan AMC. He holds an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad and a B.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur.
In his new role, Anchliya will lead Cashfree’s financial strategy, optimize operations, and support the company’s next growth phase. He will report to CEO and Co-founder Akash Sinha, who highlighted Anchliya’s expertise as vital for sustainable scaling and strengthening the company’s financial foundation. Anchliya succeeds outgoing CFO Vikas Guru, who will assist during the transition.
Founded in 2015, Cashfree Payments processes over $80 billion annually for more than 800,000 businesses. The company recently raised $53 million in funding led by KRAFTON and Apis Growth Fund II and secured key RBI licenses, positioning it for accelerated growth in India’s fintech sector. Anchliya’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as Cashfree aims to expand its leadership in digital payments.
Jeyandran Venugopal, the outgoing Chief Product and Technology Officer of Flipkart, is set to become the CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures (RRV), the retail arm of Reliance Industries. His appointment, expected to be finalized in May after his exit from Flipkart, signals Reliance’s push to strengthen its retail business with a technology-first approach.
Venugopal brings extensive experience from leading roles at Flipkart, Myntra, Yahoo, Snapdeal, and Amazon, where he focused on scaling technology platforms and driving innovation. At Flipkart, he managed product, engineering, data science, and more, helping build robust systems and improve user experience.
His move comes as Reliance Retail undergoes transformation, including cost-cutting and a renewed focus on digital growth. Venugopal’s leadership is expected to accelerate Reliance’s ambitions in omnichannel and tech-driven retail, positioning the company for continued dominance in India’s evolving market.
Delhivery, one of India’s leading logistics companies, has announced its acquisition of Ecom Express in an all-cash deal valued at ₹1,407 crore. This strategic move marks one of the largest consolidations in the logistics sector and is expected to enhance Delhivery’s scale, profitability, and operational efficiency.
Background
Ecom Express, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Gurugram, has faced significant financial challenges recently. The company canceled its IPO plans in 2024 and laid off hundreds of employees due to operational setbacks, including losing a major client, Meesho, which shifted to its in-house logistics service Valmo. These struggles led to a distressed sale, with private equity investors like Warburg Pincus and Partners Group exiting their stakes entirely.
Strategic Benefits for Delhivery
Enhanced Scale: The acquisition will strengthen Delhivery’s network reach and infrastructure, enabling better service delivery across India.
Operational Synergies: Combining operations with Ecom Express will improve efficiency and reduce costs through economies of scale.
Competitive Edge: With Ecom Express as a subsidiary, Delhivery solidifies its leadership position in the logistics space by offering broader coverage and faster services.
Challenges Addressed
The acquisition mitigates risks from Ecom Express’ financial struggles while addressing past disputes between the two companies over inflated shipment volumes reported by Ecom Express during IPO filings.
Future Outlook
The deal is expected to close within six months after regulatory approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Post-acquisition, Ecom Express will operate as a subsidiary of Delhivery, unlocking new growth opportunities such as advanced logistics technology integration and expanded customer reach.
With ₹5,488 crore in cash reserves as of September 2024, Delhivery is well-positioned to finance this acquisition without compromising financial stability. This move underscores Delhivery’s commitment to innovation and efficiency in India’s rapidly evolving logistics landscape.