India’s Esports Moment — Why Business Leadership Can No Longer Wait
- Aashwij Ravula
As the founder and CEO of HYDRAS SPORTS NETWORK, I’ve spent the last few years watching India’s esports story take shape — sometimes with curiosity, often with disbelief at how fast things are changing. What we’re seeing now feels like a perfect storm: accessible mobile gaming, an energetic youth demographic, inexpensive data, and the rise of new digital economies. This isn’t just the next wave of entertainment — it’s a full‑blown business and cultural movement in the making.
The numbers are starting to tell the story. The industry has been growing at an incredible clip, with revenues expected to jump several times over since 2021. Esports viewership in India could cross 85 million people soon — almost ten times what it was just a few years ago. And it’s not just about scale; it’s about seriousness. India’s share in the global prize‑pool, while still small, is set to triple. Players now train with coaches, fans follow regional tournaments, and commentary in local languages is drawing entire new audiences.
For brands and investors, this is the moment where curiosity needs to turn into conviction. The audience isn’t just young — it’s deeply engaged, loyal, and mobile‑first. More than 90% of Indian gamers play on smartphones, which means esports is happening where audiences already live — on their screens, in real time. For businesses, this is marketing’s next native environment.
If you’re leading a brand or platform, now’s the time to get immersed. Understand the business models behind esports — from sponsorship and streaming to media rights and in‑game advertising. Partner early, while the field still has room for first movers. Think regionally and culturally — a Tamil‑language tournament or a Hindi shoutcaster can reach communities global campaigns might never touch.
And just as importantly, look beyond the players. This ecosystem runs on talent — analysts, event managers, producers, coaches, storytellers. The faster you invest in building that talent pipeline, the stronger your long‑term advantage will be.
At HYDRAS SPORTS NETWORK, we see this as India’s esports decade. The infrastructure is ready, the audience is waiting, and the ecosystem is opening itself to collaboration. The only question left is — who’s willing to lead right now, not after the fact?
If you’re a brand, investor, or ecosystem partner who wants to help shape this story — let’s connect. The runway is here. Let’s build on it before someone else does.