In April 2026, Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana officially joined One8, the high-performance sportswear brand co-owned by Virat Kohli, in a landmark long-term partnership. This collaboration, facilitated by the sportswear platform Agilitas Sports, marks a significant "18 joins 18" moment, as both icons famously wear the jersey number 18. Mandhana is not just a brand ambassador; she is a co-creator. She will work closely with design and research teams to develop apparel specifically tailored for women athletes.

The partnership centers on expanding One8's women's performance wear, specifically in cricket and high-intensity training categories.Mandhana reportedly declined a significant extension offer from Nike to sign this multi-year deal with Agilitas.The move is part of One8's broader strategy to establish itself as a premium, inclusive sportswear brand originating from India.

The association is a symbolic powerhouse in Indian sports branding, bringing together the two most prominent figures of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise.

Smriti Mandhana to contribute to One8's women’s training apparel

As a co-creator, Smriti Mandhana is actively developing two specific categories for One8 that focus on solving long-standing fit and performance issues for women athletes. Mandhana is working with the Agilitas R&D and design teams to create high-performance gear tailored for demanding physical environments. Designs are engineered specifically for the technical requirements and biomechanics of women, moving away from "shrunk-down" men’s patterns.

The range will focus on breathability and flexibility to support movements specific to intense gym sessions and field drills. She has been working with the product team for over three months to ensure the apparel meets the standards of professional athletes. This is a core growth pillar for the brand, aiming to provide specialized equipment and apparel for female cricketers. The collection will include functional elements rooted in Mandhana's on-field experience, such as optimized silhouettes for batting and fielding.

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Beyond basic training tees, the line is expected to include specialized cricket gear designed for women. The partnership is being positioned as a premium, "performance-first" ecosystem originating from India.

Originally launched in 2017 as a collaboration with Puma, one8 has evolved from a licensing deal into a standalone high-performance Indian brand. Co-founded by Virat Kohli and former Puma India MD Abhishek Ganguly, the brand is now managed by Agilitas Sports.