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,
ShareChat, one of India’s premier social media platforms, has strengthened its leadership by appointing Neha Markanda as Chief Business Officer for both its flagship ShareChat platform and the popular short video app Moj. Markanda, previously Head of Industry, E-commerce at Google India, brings over 22 years of expertise across renowned companies like Meta, GSK Consumer Healthcare, PepsiCo, and ITC. At Google India, she led transformative strategies in e-commerce and health tech, ensuring market growth and technological innovation for global brands. Her proven track record uniquely positions her to drive ShareChat’s revenue strategy, business expansion, and partnerships with advertisers and regional stakeholders.
Markanda’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for ShareChat, which recently achieved profitability and has projected a robust ₹1,200 crore revenue run rate for the year. The platforms boast a combined monthly active user base of more than 325 million, making ShareChat and Moj essential tools for marketers seeking to increase engagement across India’s diverse regions. Markanda’s expertise is expected to further accelerate ShareChat’s business growth, opening doors for brand collaborations and hyper-targeted influencer campaigns, which can connect marketers to local audiences in a culturally relevant manner.
With advanced degrees from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Lady Shri Ram College, Markanda’s leadership is set to reinforce ShareChat’s momentum as India’s go-to platform for marketers and creators looking for trusted, brand-safe environments. Her focus on vernacular content and building robust partnerships will complement ShareChat and Moj’s mission to empower regional creators and deliver authentic engagement. Industry experts have lauded this strategic move, anticipating that Markanda’s vision will help ShareChat and Moj maintain their edge in India’s social media landscape.
SuperGaming, the Pune-based gaming innovator known for hit titles like MaskGun and Indus Battle Royale, has raised $15 million in a Series B funding round, boosting its valuation to an impressive $100 million. This marks a nearly fivefold increase from its 2021 valuation of $21 million, highlighting the company’s rapid growth and the rising investor confidence in India’s booming gaming industry. The funding reflects SuperGaming’s strong market presence and strategic vision to become a global leader in online gaming.
The funding round was spearheaded by Skycatcher and Steadview Capital, with significant participation from notable international investors including a16z Speedrun, Bandai Namco O21 Fund, Neowiz, and prominent Web3 financiers such as Polygon Ventures and Sandeep Nailwal. Existing backers like AET Japan and BACE Capital also continued their support. SuperGaming aims to utilize this capital infusion to expand its footprint internationally, focusing on emerging markets. A key initiative includes launching its award-winning game, Indus Battle Royale, in Latin America through a partnership with LOUD.GG, alongside rolling out its proprietary SuperPlatform developed with Google Cloud to empower game developers worldwide, especially in resource-constrained regions.
CEO and Co-Founder Roby John emphasized that this funding milestone is crucial in shifting India from merely a gaming consumer base to a hub for gaming innovation. By adopting a “hyper-local” strategy that tailors games to diverse cultures in underrepresented markets like the Middle East and Latin America, SuperGaming is poised for global growth. With over 200 million installs and an expanding user base, SuperGaming’s recent fundraising solidifies its position at the forefront of India’s gaming revolution, ready to make a major impact on the international stage.
Swiggy, India’s leading online food delivery platform, has introduced DeskEats, a unique meal delivery service specifically designed for office-goers and working professionals across 30 major cities. DeskEats aims to streamline office dining by offering a diverse, office-friendly menu, making it easier than ever for corporate employees to enjoy convenient and delicious meals right at their workplace. By simply typing “Office” or “Work” in the Swiggy app, users can unlock curated collections like Value Combos, Stress Munchies, Healthy Nibbles, and Teamwork Bites, catering to every office dining scenario—from solo meals to team lunches and quick snack breaks.
Swiggy’s DeskEats is now operational in over 7,000 tech parks and business centers, granting office workers access to nearly 700,000 menu items from over 200,000 restaurants. This vast variety ensures there’s something for everyone, addressing the growing demand for quick, tasty, and nutritious food that fits seamlessly into the busy schedules of working professionals. Early trends from DeskEats’ pilot phase show a strong preference for easy-to-eat options like chicken popcorn in Bengaluru and garlic breadsticks in Gurugram, reflecting the popularity of meals tailored for the modern workday.
Expanding upon its Corporate Rewards Program, which is already trusted by thousands of organizations, Swiggy enables companies to enhance employee wellness programs by offering food delivery, groceries, and dining benefits efficiently. With DeskEats, Swiggy reaffirms its commitment to transforming workplace dining by prioritizing variety, convenience, and user satisfaction—cementing its position as a key player in the evolution of India’s office food culture.