<p>A tech-enabled bat from a Bengaluru startup simulates the experience of playing outdoor cricket at home. It pairs with the phone or tablet via Bluetooth and transforms into a virtual cricket console. Users can bat in front of a TV or computer casting a game, featuring real-time bowlers, fielders, umpires, spectators, and commentary.</p>.<p>MetaShot, the HAL 2nd Stage startup, secured an investment of <br>Rs 1.6 crore for a 5% equity stake from two investors on the ‘Shark Tank India 4’ reality show. The episode aired on January 29. The panel of investors was initially sceptical of the ‘smart’ bat, which was conceptualised during the pandemic, but was impressed to learn that 18,000 units had been sold. The episode was filmed in October 2024, and the sales have since climbed to 25,000, its CEO Prince Thomas told Metrolife. “Our bats are selling the most in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. We are also receiving enquiries from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia,” he added.</p>.Gallery houses artworks, belongings of artist N G Pavanje in Bengaluru.<p class="bodytext">Thomas and his cofounders Ranjit Kumar Behera and Ajith Sunny explained that their innovation lies in reducing cost and hardware. “While a Nintendo Switch or PlayStation costs Rs 40,000 or more, our product is priced at Rs 5,999. No virtual reality headset is needed either,” he shared. Their bat works by a combination of Bluetooth and motion-sensing technology.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Designed for home entertainment, the MetaShot bat is shorter than standard models, allowing users to swing it without knocking things over at home. Made of fibre, it weighs 600 gm and “is suitable for anybody above the age of eight”.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Women have bought the bat for their husbands, who are too busy to go to the playground or have no company to play the game with. “Women are also giving it a try. The mother of one of our angel investors tried batting for the first time. She is almost 80,” Thomas shared. A mother from Bengaluru told them that their gamified version of cricket has sparked her son’s interest in playing outdoors.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Thomas said its use case is evolving. A senior citizen from Coimbatore posted on LinkedIn that he uses their bat daily to get 30 minutes of exercise.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A father in Bengaluru ordered 21 bats as return gifts for his son’s birthday party. It has also become a house party game. “You can bat for up to 10 overs and ‘unlock’ different grounds to play at, from Wankhede in Mumbai to Lord’s in London. The commentary mimics the voices of Harsha Bhogle, Greg Chappell, and Shoaib Akhtar,” he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The cofounders have degrees in electronics engineering and business administration. They have known each other from their college and work days. “Our bat is not meant to replace outdoor cricket. We love real cricket ourselves. I play around 200 games a year,” Thomas said.</p>
<p>A tech-enabled bat from a Bengaluru startup simulates the experience of playing outdoor cricket at home. It pairs with the phone or tablet via Bluetooth and transforms into a virtual cricket console. Users can bat in front of a TV or computer casting a game, featuring real-time bowlers, fielders, umpires, spectators, and commentary.</p>.<p>MetaShot, the HAL 2nd Stage startup, secured an investment of <br>Rs 1.6 crore for a 5% equity stake from two investors on the ‘Shark Tank India 4’ reality show. The episode aired on January 29. The panel of investors was initially sceptical of the ‘smart’ bat, which was conceptualised during the pandemic, but was impressed to learn that 18,000 units had been sold. The episode was filmed in October 2024, and the sales have since climbed to 25,000, its CEO Prince Thomas told Metrolife. “Our bats are selling the most in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. We are also receiving enquiries from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia,” he added.</p>.Gallery houses artworks, belongings of artist N G Pavanje in Bengaluru.<p class="bodytext">Thomas and his cofounders Ranjit Kumar Behera and Ajith Sunny explained that their innovation lies in reducing cost and hardware. “While a Nintendo Switch or PlayStation costs Rs 40,000 or more, our product is priced at Rs 5,999. No virtual reality headset is needed either,” he shared. Their bat works by a combination of Bluetooth and motion-sensing technology.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Designed for home entertainment, the MetaShot bat is shorter than standard models, allowing users to swing it without knocking things over at home. Made of fibre, it weighs 600 gm and “is suitable for anybody above the age of eight”.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Women have bought the bat for their husbands, who are too busy to go to the playground or have no company to play the game with. “Women are also giving it a try. The mother of one of our angel investors tried batting for the first time. She is almost 80,” Thomas shared. A mother from Bengaluru told them that their gamified version of cricket has sparked her son’s interest in playing outdoors.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Thomas said its use case is evolving. A senior citizen from Coimbatore posted on LinkedIn that he uses their bat daily to get 30 minutes of exercise.</p>.<p class="bodytext">A father in Bengaluru ordered 21 bats as return gifts for his son’s birthday party. It has also become a house party game. “You can bat for up to 10 overs and ‘unlock’ different grounds to play at, from Wankhede in Mumbai to Lord’s in London. The commentary mimics the voices of Harsha Bhogle, Greg Chappell, and Shoaib Akhtar,” he added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The cofounders have degrees in electronics engineering and business administration. They have known each other from their college and work days. “Our bat is not meant to replace outdoor cricket. We love real cricket ourselves. I play around 200 games a year,” Thomas said.</p>