Ground Se Shikhar Tak & RunBhumi

Ground Se Shikhar Tak & RunBhumi
India's First Cricket Reality Show & Grassroots League
"From Ground to Pinnacle – Transforming Cricket Dreams into Reality"
A unified sports-entertainment platform combining a nationwide talent hunt with a high-octane reality TV series and T20 league. Presented to venture investors, media funds, and strategic partners.
Vision: Reigniting Bharat's Spirit Through Cricket
Empowering the Undiscovered
Providing a world-class platform and high-performance ecosystem for raw, undiscovered talent from every corner of India. Young cricketers showcase not only skills but become living stories of resilience and excellence.
Uniting Through Values
Embedding the values, culture, and spiritual strength of India into every inning. Players inspire as role models both on and off the field, reconnecting youth to their roots through the nation's most unifying force.
"Sapne Wahi, Sangharsh Naya" – Reawakening the spirit of India by transforming raw talent into champions.
Mission: Building India's Premier Cricket Talent Pipeline
Premier Platform
Establish RunBhumi as a structured franchise-based league where raw talent is sharpened, celebrated, and elevated through competition and coaching with international cricket legends.
Annual Movement
Nurture 500+ extraordinary cricketers every year – each embodying both skill and the soul of Bharat. A sustained talent factory season after season.
Discover Talent (India's first reality show on cricket)
Unearth hidden cricketing gems from across India, bringing inspiring stories of struggles and triumphs to light through performance-first scouting and the first reality show on cricket.
Build Character
Reconnect youth with discipline and resilience via Gurukul-style training incorporating yoga, meditation, and cultural education alongside cricketing excellence.
The Problem: Millions of Dreams, Few Opportunities
No Grassroots Platform
80%+ of Indian youth dream of cricket glory, yet those from Tier-2/3 cities and rural areas lack proper scouting platforms. Thousands fade away unseen.
Massive Drop-out Rate
~90% quit by age 19 due to lack of fun, poor coaching, or no clear pathway. The pipeline to professional cricket is leaking talent.
Entertainment Gap
Reality TV thrives in music and dance, but no cricket-based reality show exists despite cricket being a religion in India. A massive content whitespace.
Market Opportunity: Enormous & Hungry for Change
400M
Youth Population
Ages 15–29, generation passionate about cricket – our total addressable market for participants and viewers
86%
Cricket Fanbase
Of India's sports fans follow cricket – the sport's popularity is absolutely unmatched in the nation
25M
Potential Players
Adolescents aged 10–19 who could be reached in schools, communities, colleges, academies, and via professional cricketers' ecosystems – waiting for their big break
74%
Cricket Preference
Of boys prefer cricket over other sports, indicating overwhelming interest in our core offering
The core digital fanbase for cricket content is the 16–28 age group, indicating exceptionally strong engagement on YouTube, fantasy apps, and streaming platforms. High dropout rates indicate pent-up demand for fun, competitive formats – exactly what our platform delivers.
Our Solution: Sport, Entertainment & Social Impact Unified
01
Nationwide Talent Pipeline
India's biggest open cricket trials across schools, colleges, and academies feeding into structured competitions and high-performance training
02
Reality Show Drama
Ground Se Shikhar Tak captures the journey on camera – merging raw competition with human-interest storytelling like IPL meets Indian Idol
03
Gurukul-Style Nurturing
Players undergo residential training with yoga, meditation, and cultural values – forging better cricketers and better individuals
04
League Competition
Top talent competes in RunBhumi T20 league with franchise teams, creating pathway from streets to stardom
All 128 shortlisted players are 'winners'—they enter the final league. Each player will have a base price not less than ₹2,00,000 at the mega auction before the league.
Key Differentiator: We're the only platform combining nationwide grassroots discovery, reality TV storytelling, Gurukul values training, and professional league competition in one integrated ecosystem.
Ground Se Shikhar Tak: India's First Cricket Reality Show
The Format Revolution
Ground Se Shikhar Tak fuses grassroots cricket talent with celebrity mentorship and prime-time drama. Starting with 128 aspiring players selected from nationwide trials, contestants live and compete together on camera.
Divided into 3 teams, each guided by legendary cricket Masters – Aakash Chopra, Brian Lara, Mohammad Kaif. This team format adds loyalty and rivalry, bonding unknown players under icons.
Gurukul Meets Reality TV
Players stay at a cricket camp where daily routines, practice, and cultural training (yoga, life lessons) are filmed. Audiences witness not just matches but personal growth and emotional story arcs that forge deep viewer connections.
1
128 Players Start
Male & female contestants selected from trials
2
40 Finalists
Through challenges and eliminations
3
1 Winner
Crowned with pathway to professional cricket
GSST Format: Engaging Content & Unique Twists
1
36-Episode Season
Aired over 8–10 weeks with daily content and 6 "mega episodes" for major eliminations – ensuring continuous viewer engagement and advertising inventory
2
Prime-Time Broadcast
Mon–Sat 9pm slots on popular GEC channels plus simultaneous digital streaming – accessible to TV and mobile audiences nationwide
3
Team Competition
Three teams compete in weekly cricket challenges from skill drills to short-format matches, earning points and safety through performance
4
Grandmaster Power
Shikhar Dhawan oversees with veto powers, can save players or introduce wildcards – unpredictability keeps contestants alert and audiences hooked
Blindfold Challenges
Players perform whilst blindfolded to test trust and skill – hilarious and tense moments
Truth Room
Shikhar's confession chamber where fears are shared and confrontations resolved on-camera
Audience Voting
Live voting can bring back fan-favourite eliminated players – viewers feel invested
Proposed Legends & Celebrities Drive Engagement
Shikhar Dhawan
Grandmaster (Confirmed) – International star whose journey from humble beginnings resonates with millions. Provides authentic mentorship and charismatic leadership.
Brian Lara
Batting Maestro (Proposed) – Tutoring contestants in batting flair and handling pressure with world-class expertise.
Mohammad Kaif
Fielding Guru (Proposed) – Instilling fitness and fielding excellence with proven training methods.
Aakash Chopra
The Strategist (Proposed) – Sharpening cricket IQ and mental resilience through tactical insights.
Anil Kapoor
Celebrity Host (Proposed) – Renowned Bollywood actor adding crossover appeal and energetic anchoring for family audiences.
Vikrant Gupta
Proposed Dean of Gurukul (Proposed) – Respected sports journalist and anchor, bringing deep insights and communication skills to mentoring.
Kumar Vishwas
Proposed Dean of Gurukul (Proposed) – Acclaimed poet and motivational speaker, offering unique perspectives on mental strength and leadership.
"I myself came from there, know how hard it is. These kids need a platform, and we're giving them that chance." – Shikhar Dhawan
RunBhumi Structure: From Trials to Champions
Online Screening
Digital platform (AI-assisted video analysis via partner); 25 million youths targeted through online campaigns and school, college, and academy tie-ups; open to all Indians worldwide (Indian diaspora included).
City Trials
2 million register for initial trials; shortlist ~20 lakh for on-ground trials across 90+ locations; parallel online trials shortlisted via AI video assessment.
Zonal Matches
Top performers compete in regional games (North/South/East/West) – real match situations with legends scouting
Gurukul Camp
Best 128 players (80 boys, 48 girls) enter 45-day residential training – filmed for reality show episodes
League Teams
Final 80 men and 48 women graduate to RunBhumi League as team players after rigorous selection
During the Gurukul camp, players undergo intensive cricket training with international coaches, fitness and dietary programmes, mental conditioning through yoga and meditation, plus character-building tasks and challenges filmed for compelling television content.
All offline and online trials will be conducted under the supervision of international retired cricket players.
RunBhumi League: The NextGen Premier League
Franchise Structure
After reality-style selection, RunBhumi culminates in a live T20 league featuring 14 franchise teams: 10 men's + 4 women's. Each team blends top young talent with seasoned ex-international players for mentorship.
Men's League: 10 teams, round-robin (28 matches) + knockouts → ~32 total
Women's League: 4 teams, double round-robin format (~10 matches)
Total: 30+ live T20 matches over several weeks of continuous content
Professional Experience
Matches broadcast live on sports channels and OTT platforms with Doordarshan arrangements. Played in mid-sized stadiums with live audiences – creating IPL-like atmosphere and giving players real pressure performance experience.
RunBhumi Trophy
Prestigious awards for men's and women's winning teams with cash prizes
Individual Honours
Best Batsman, Best Bowler, and "Spirit of Bharat" awards
Scalability: Future seasons can expand to more teams (state-based or corporate-owned), multiple divisions (U-19, U-23), and integration with existing cricket circuits as feeder to state teams.
Global expansion roadmap: associate nations first, then all cricket nations; open to global participants (Olympic cricket tailwinds).
Traction & Partnerships: Strong Foundation Established
Pilot Episode In Progress
30-min broadcast-ready pilot; Budget: ₹75 Lakhs.
Broadcast Partnerships
Doordarshan (public broadcaster) and Waves OTT on board in principle. Doordarshan's rural reach plus Waves' urban digital viewers ensure comprehensive coverage.
Production Alliances
Drishyam Films (cinematic storytelling) and Yashi Films (regional events) as production partners ensuring world-class content quality and scale execution.
Talent Commitments
Shikhar Dhawan fully committed as Chief Mentor. Brian Lara, Mohammad Kaif, Aakash Chopra, and Anil Kapoor have expressed strong interest and preliminary commitments.
Sponsor Interest
Letters of Intent from potential sponsors including leading corporate for Title Sponsorship. EdTech and sportswear brands keen for trials partnership.
Early Media Buzz
Coverage in SportsStar and Variety highlighting GSST as "the next big thing in sports reality TV" – building anticipation pre-launch.
Go-to-Market Strategy: Creating Nationwide Buzz
Star Launch Event
Grand ceremony with cricket legends, Bollywood stars, and 1983 World Cup team members
Campus Outreach
Partnerships with schools, colleges, academies in 100+ cities via talent hunt caravans
Digital Campaign
#GroundSeShikharTak viral challenge leveraging celebrity followings across social platforms
Content Teasers
Emotional player stories and dramatic moments aired during cricket matches on sports channels
PR Blitz
Interviews on morning shows, newspaper features, sports magazines in 2-week lead-up to trials
Launch Timeline: December 2025 – Trials Begin!
Monetization: Diverse & Robust Revenue Streams
Self-Funding Trials
₹1,750 registration fee per participant. With 10 lakh participants: ₹100 Cr gross, ~₹17 Cr net surplus after costs
Multi-Tier Sponsorships
Title Sponsor (₹15 Cr) + "Powered By" (₹10 Cr each) + Associates (₹1–4 Cr) + on-ground sponsors = ₹110+ Cr
Franchise Sales
10 men's teams @ ₹8 Cr each + 4 women's teams @ ₹2 Cr each; franchise sales during mid-phase of the league.
Long-tail revenue: player transfer fees, format licensing abroad, mobile game subscriptions, coaching app – significant upside beyond core streams.
Financial Projections: High Growth, Early Profitability
Season 1 Economics
Total Revenue: ₹380+ Cr (conservative)
Major Expenses: Talent, production, operations, marketing – ₹150–180 Cr
Net Profit: Healthy margin by end of Year 1
Break-even: Achieved within first season
Trial fees and franchise sales cover majority of costs upfront, de-risking the venture by not relying on single revenue source.
Growth Trajectory
Year 2: Revenue expected to increase 60%+ as brand value rises
Year 2: +60% revenue; go global (associate nations).
Year 3: Operating margins improving to 25–30% OPM
Scalability: Many costs one-time (tech platform, content templates) – margins expand with scale
Cash flows structured smartly: franchise fees and participant fees arrive early, funding expenses that occur over season.
Sources and detailed assumptions available on request
Use of Funds: Catalysing Season 1 Launch
01
Talent & Celebrity Endorsements (35%)
Secure Grandmaster, Masters, and host. Shikhar Dhawan signing fee ₹1.5 Cr, three masters ₹0.75 Cr – boosting content quality and TRP appeal.
02
Marketing & Launch (30%)
Nationwide awareness campaign including launch event (₹60 L), promotional content, broadcast booking (₹1 Cr), and Bollywood integration (₹2 Cr).
03
Trials Infrastructure (23%)
Execute massive trials across India: ground rentals, coaching staff, equipment, city-wise logistics, and core team salaries for 6 months.
04
Technology Platform (7%)
Registration platform, data analytics, engagement app MVP – ₹1 Cr for comprehensive trials management software and digital infrastructure.
05
Working Capital (5%)
Buffer for strategic opportunities and cash flow management – maintaining agility to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Total Funding Requirement: ₹25 Crore to fully capitalize Season 1 operations and establish foundation for scale. Every rupee mapped to clear milestones.
Competitive Advantage: Why We'll Win
First Mover
Pioneering untapped cricket reality genre – brand synonymous with talent discovery
360° Ecosystem
Integrated trials + reality show + T20 league creates self-reinforcing cycle impossible to replicate
Grassroots Network
Deep presence in 100 cities with scouts, databases, local goodwill – strategic asset competitors can't buy
Exclusive Stars
Cricket icons and celebrities tied to our IP with multi-season contracts – high entry barrier
Emotional Connect
Stories of underdogs create deep loyalty backed by patriotism – love transcends pure cricket competition
Strategic Partners
Doordarshan, government support, production alliances erect distribution and quality barriers
Our integrated model creates a self-reinforcing moat: show fanbase drives league viewership, league results create storylines for next season. This ecosystem builds community and content library newcomers can't replicate from scratch.
Leadership Team: Visionaries & Execution Experts
Core Leadership
Narendra Khanna – Founder & CEO
Large-scale event management expert. Orchestrates multi-city operations and league logistics ensuring ambitious timelines are met.
Manoj Dua – Co-Founder
Serial entrepreneur with 15+ years in media & events. Previously founded sports tech startup. Leads strategy, partnerships, and investor relations.
Neeraj Dua – COO
State-level cricket league veteran. Oversees league format execution, schedules, team logistics, and player welfare.
Parul Khanna – CHRO
Sports psychology background. Crafts Gurukul curriculum including meditation, counseling sessions ensuring player development off-pitch.
Nimit Malhotra-Vice President : Corporate and Academia
Tech entrepreneur with two successful app launches. Building digital backbone from registration platform to performance analytics.
Shikhar Dhawan – Mentor & Strategist
Cricket icon and celebrity providing strategic guidance for player development and brand promotion.
Sean Pollock – Proposed League Commissioner
Renowned cricket figure envisioned to bring immense experience and credibility to the league's governance.
Proposed Advisory Board
Venkatesh Prasad – Cricket Advisor. Legendary fast bowler bringing deep domain expertise to cricket operations.
Michael Clarke – Strategic Advisor. Former Australian captain, offering insights into global cricket strategy and athlete management.
Kumar Vishwas – Media & Entertainment Advisor. Renowned poet and media personality, guiding content and entertainment strategy.
Vikrant Gupta – Sports Journalism Advisor. Veteran sports journalist, advising on media relations and storytelling.
Strategic Partnerships: Powering Pan-India Reach
Broadcast & Distribution
Doordarshan: Public broadcaster providing unparalleled rural reach (30M+ viewers) without cable subscription barriers – credibility
Waves OTT: Rising digital platform streaming episodes and matches online – capturing youth on mobile devices and enabling global diaspora access
Production Excellence
Drishyam Films: Award-winning film house ensuring world-class cinematic storytelling – each backstory beautifully presented, every match dramatically captured
Yashi Films: Regional entertainment events expertise managing on-ground match production, local vendor networks, and multi-city coordination
Technology & Services
ULEDS, Skill University, AIVEDU: Sports analytics alliance providing digital scoring, player performance analytics, AR/VR for viewer engagement – cutting-edge platform
Forever 52: Grooming brand providing styling for contestants (in-kind sponsorship) ensuring camera-ready appearance and elevated production quality
Health & Welfare
PMBJP: Government pharma initiative supplying first-aid kits, physiotherapists, and player health insurance during league – family reassurance
Future alliances in discussion: state cricket associations for feeder system recognition, educational NGOs for scholarship opportunities (CSR funding potential).
The Ask: ₹20 Crores for 15% equity (pre-money valuation to be finalized; indicative ~₹130 Cr)
Investment Opportunity
Funding Requirement: ₹20 Crores (~$2.4M USD)
Equity Stake: 15% (pre-money valuation to be finalized; indicative ~₹130 Cr)
Use: Fully capitalize Season 1 operations and bridge cash flow to revenue streams
Revenue Traction: Year-1 projected ₹380–400+ Cr with profitability
Investor Value Proposition
This isn't a long R&D burn – participant fees, sponsorships, and franchise sales are lining up to mitigate risk. You're backing an endeavour with real pre-orders (sponsor LOIs) and immediate cash generation.
ROI Potential: Comparable sports IPs have seen 5–10x valuation jumps after successful seasons. We envision >3x enterprise value increase by end of Season 2. Strong cash flows enable potential dividends by Year 3.
1
Q4 2025
Funds deployment – talent onboarding complete
2
Q1 2026
Trials begin nationwide – registrations open
3
Q2 2026
Reality show airs – prime-time engagement
4
Q3 2026
League matches – revenue realization begins
Strategic Value Beyond Returns: Investors gain foothold in sports entertainment with multi-country franchising potential, plus association with high-impact youth empowerment venture (legacy and PR value).
Exit Strategy: Clear Paths to Realize Returns
Strategic Acquisition
Media giants (Disney-Star, Sony, Viacom) acquire to own hit sports IP exclusively – likely exit as early as 2-3 seasons post-launch
Sports League Integration
BCCI or IPL franchise consortium purchases majority stake to convert RunBhumi into formal nationwide second-division league
International Licensing
Format rights licensed globally (South Asia, West Indies, UK/Australia) – large production house acquisition for IP rollout internationally
Public Offering
IPO on Indian exchanges by Year 5-6 after establishing stable media properties portfolio and consistent revenue history
Franchise Value Monetization
As team franchises appreciate (like IPL, values multiply over decades), we can partially exit by selling stakes in individual teams. Modular exit option yielding returns without full company sale.
Timeline & Flexibility
Ready for exit discussions after Season 2 (two data points of success). Financial sustainability means no forced distress exits – we choose optimal timing for best investor multiple.
Projected Exit Window: 2028–2030 with multiple viable paths maximizing investor returns through strategic timing and execution.
5-Year Roadmap: Building India's Sports Institution
1
2025–2026
Season 1 Launch
Complete pilot and fundraising
Launch trials early 2026
Inaugural RunBhumi Season by mid-2026
Achieve strong TRPs and engagement
2
2027
Scale & Expand
150+ cities outreach
Launch RunBhumi Junior (U-14)
Expand women's to 6 teams
2x sponsorship value using S1 data
3
2028
Season 2 – Associate nations (Nepal, Sri Lanka, UAE, Oman, Zimbabwe, etc.), global trials, city-vs-city showcases (e.g., Mumbai vs Auckland vs Durban vs London).
4
2029
Institution Building
International friendly tournament
Partnerships for talent pipeline in national and international leagues
Evaluate strategic offers or IPO prep
Multi-sport portfolio expansion
Player rights with us enable placements across global national leagues.
5
2030+
National Legacy
IPO or strategic exit completed
5-10 players in national/international leagues or national team
Pan-Asia league expansion
De facto youth sports institution
Long-Term Vision: "Ground Se Shikhar Tak" becomes a scalable framework applied across fields – India's biggest sports media franchise with multi-generational longevity like national leagues or Miss India pageant.