In the latest cricket news, Virat Kohli and Bunty Sajdeh, the founder of Cornerstone, have officially ended their professional association following the conclusion of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. The split comes after Australia secured their sixth title by defeating India in the final held in Ahmedabad on November 19.
While the exact reason for the separation remains undisclosed, credible sources suggest that Virat Kohli is in the process of establishing his own company and plans to register it soon. Notably, in 2020, Karan Johar's Dharma Productions entered the talent management sector through a collaboration with Cornerstone, forming Dharma Cornerstone Agency (DCA). However, Kohli's association with Cornerstone remained independent of this joint venture.
Over the years, Bunty Sajdeh had been instrumental in managing Kohli's commercial interests and brand presence off the field. The duo's partnership was marked by various successful deals with leading companies, including a notable INR 100-crore partnership with the sports brand Puma. Beyond the professional aspect, Bunty Sajdeh was known to be a close friend to the cricketer, often accompanying him to major cricket events.
Reports suggest that the split may be related to Cornerstone prioritizing Kohli's interests over those of other athletes, leading to the separation. Other cricketers, including Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Shubman Gill, had previously parted ways with Cornerstone, expressing concerns that the company focused primarily on Virat Kohli to the detriment of others. Despite the separation, Cornerstone still boasts a roster of star athletes, including PV Sindhu, Sania Mirza, Umesh Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yash Dhull.
Virat Kohli ended as the Player of the Tournament but on a losing side. Australia clinched their sixth Cricket World Cup title by defeating India by six wickets in the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. Chasing a target of 241, Australia overcame early setbacks at 47/3, as Travis Head's explosive century and Marnus Labuschagne's steady 50 formed a formidable partnership. In the earlier innings, despite KL Rahul's patient 66 and Virat Kohli's half-century, India posted 240 runs. Rohit Sharma's departure at 47 triggered a shaky phase as the today match prediction tilted towards Australia.