We have all heard the saying – cricket is not just a sport; it’s an emotion. With a global audience of 2.5 billion, including 600 million viewers in India alone, cricket stands as one of the most-watched and widely played sports. While outdoor cricket remains the ideal choice, the passion for the game has seamlessly transitioned indoors with interactive and immersive experiences shaping the gaming format.
Bengaluru-based startup MetaShot is redefining home entertainment by merging cricket with immersive gaming technology. Co-founded by Prince Thomas, Ranjit Behera, and Ajith Sunny, Metashot has developed an innovative hardware-based gaming system that allows users to play cricket in their living rooms. The idea stemmed from their love for the sport and the realisation that motion-based gaming remained largely expensive and inaccessible in India.
Launched in September 2023, the startup claims to have sold out two months’ worth of inventory in just 10 days. So far, MetaShot has sold approximately 25,000 units, with revenue growing fivefold year-over-year.
Unlike traditional gaming consoles that rely on expensive hardware, MetaShot’s system integrates with a smart bat and a motion-tracking sensor. “Whatever you do in your living room, your avatar will do the same thing on the screen,” Thomas said, comparing the system with a Nintendo Wii-like experience at a fraction of the cost.
This innovation has also struck a chord with parents. “We’ve had many testimonials from mothers who are happy that their kid is at least having some kind of physical exercise,” Thomas added.
Gaming with Smart Tech
MetaShot’s cricket simulation works without cameras or infrared tracking, unlike traditional gaming consoles such as Xbox Kinect or VR headsets, which use multiple cameras for motion detection. Instead, it relies solely on 9-axis sensors embedded in the smart bat, which track a player’s movements, shot angles, and power.
The data is processed using a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, eliminating the need for an expensive console.
Interestingly, MetaShot has expanded its customer base, with 37% of users being both children and adults, 33% being adults alone, and 30% kids.
“There are adults playing, they use it for party games, they connect with their friends, they buy in bulk, three or four friends will buy and they will play together. So, we are increasingly seeing those kinds of use cases,” said Thomas.
Made in India
One of MetaShot’s core principles is to manufacture locally. “From the beginning, we were very clear [that] we would try to make it in India,” Thomas said. While sensors are imported, the bat moulds, components, and assembly are done entirely in Bengaluru. This decision aligns with India’s push for domestic manufacturing and avoids reliance on Chinese components, despite the challenges of building a hardware ecosystem locally.
Metashot has also expanded its retail presence, partnering with Blinkit for quick deliveries, making their product accessible within minutes for last-minute purchases, especially for parties and group play.
Long Way Ahead
As of January 2025, MetaShot has raised approximately $2.19 million across multiple funding rounds, including a ₹11 crore seed round led by Sauce.vc. Moreover, the startup secured ₹1.6 crore for a 5% equity stake in Shark Tank India.
Despite its unique positioning, MetaShot competes with major global gaming brands. Products like the Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect introduced motion-based gaming years ago but failed to gain traction in India due to high costs.
“A similar product at this price point doesn’t exist,” Thomas pointed out. While a Nintendo Switch or PlayStation costs between ₹40,000 and ₹50,000, MetaShot’s cricket game is priced significantly lower at ₹5,000, making it far more accessible.
Gaming giants such as Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo dominate the high-end console market, selling 2-3 lakh units annually in India. Thomas believes that if MetaShot reaches its full potential at a lower price point, the company could surpass those numbers. “If we start hitting our potential, we can do much more.”
MetaShot is not alone in the sports-tech gaming market. Companies such as StanceBeam and Freebowler have developed smart cricket equipment, while Motion Sense AI is working on AI-powered motion tracking for gaming.
As MetaShot expands, its next frontier includes multisport gaming. The team is already developing a universal motion-tracking device that allows users to switch between cricket, tennis, and other sports by simply changing the bat or racket attachment.
“We are working on a universal device that lets you play multiple games. Most likely, we will launch it [in the] next financial year,” Thomas concluded.
