Ankit Baldi promoted to Chief Executive Officer at GMR Sports

GMR Sports has promoted Ankit Baldi to Chief Executive Officer, marking a new phase in the leadership of the GMR Group's sports business.

Ankit moves into the CEO role after serving as Head of Business Development, Strategy and Governance at GMR Sports. He brings more than 17 years of experience across operations, strategy and franchise businesses spanning sports, media and infrastructure. Before joining GMR Sports, he spent six years with Chennai Super Kings Cricket Limited, where he served as Chief Operating Officer.

From strategy and governance to CEO

Ankit's progression to CEO builds on a career that has combined commercial strategy with sports operations.

At GMR Sports, his previous remit across business development, strategy and governance positioned him close to the organization's growth agenda and its expanding portfolio of sporting properties.

His move into the top leadership role comes as GMR Sports continues to broaden its presence across sports, markets and formats.

Building a global sports business from India

In announcing the appointment, Ankit described the opportunity as both a privilege and a responsibility, with an ambition to build a global sports business from India.

That ambition aligns with the evolution of GMR Sports itself. What began with the Delhi Capitals has expanded into a multi-property sports platform covering cricket, kabaddi, kho kho and rugby, alongside international partnerships and franchises.

GMR Sports' portfolio includes Delhi Capitals, Dubai Capitals, India Capitals, UP Yoddhas, Telugu Yoddhas and international sporting properties including Seattle Orcas and Hampshire County Cricket Club.

Expanding beyond a single-sport portfolio

GMR Sports has increasingly positioned itself around a broader sporting ecosystem rather than a single franchise or discipline.

The business has expanded from cricket into kabaddi through UP Yoddhas and kho kho through Telugu Yoddhas, while continuing to develop international cricket properties. Its recent expansion also includes the Rugby Premier League.

That portfolio gives Ankit a wide operating canvas as CEO, spanning franchise businesses, leagues, athletes, partners, fans and commercial opportunities across different sporting markets.

A growing international footprint

GMR Sports' international ambitions are already reflected in its portfolio.

The company has interests and partnerships across markets including the UAE, United States and United Kingdom. Its international properties include Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket and Hampshire County Cricket Club in England.

For Ankit, the next phase will involve bringing these assets together within a broader strategy for long-term value creation and global growth.

Creating value across the sports ecosystem

Ankit has emphasized the opportunity to work with GMR Sports' teams, partners, athletes and wider stakeholder ecosystem to build world-class sporting properties.

That approach reflects GMR Sports' broader stated ambition to connect people, nurture talent and establish sport as a platform with relevance both within India and globally. The company says its sports business is focused on developing talent, connecting communities and building professional sports ecosystems.

The CEO role therefore extends beyond franchise performance. It brings together sporting operations, commercial strategy, partnerships, talent and the development of properties that can create sustained value over multiple seasons and markets.

A new chapter for GMR Sports

Ankit's appointment comes at a time when GMR Sports is operating an increasingly diverse portfolio of sporting properties.

With experience across sports operations, business development and strategy, his progression to CEO places him at the center of the company's next stage of growth.

The immediate opportunity is clear: build on GMR Sports' existing portfolio while creating a more globally connected sports business from India.

About GMR Sports

GMR Sports is the sports business of GMR Group, established in 2008. Its portfolio spans cricket, kabaddi, kho kho and rugby, with sporting properties and partnerships across India and international markets. The business began with the Delhi Capitals and has since expanded into multiple leagues, franchises and sports-related initiatives.