MUMBAI: Cricket, consoles and crores: JetSynthesys is bowling a bouncer into India’s primetime schedule. The company announced that season two of its Global e-Cricket Premier League (GEPL) will air live on JioStar’s linear and OTT platforms. For the first time ever, the esports league will hit national television, blending the thrill of gaming with the theatrics of traditional sport.

GEPL Season 2 promises an adrenaline spike with 34 high-octane matches slated from 27 April to 2 May. The broadcast window runs 11 am to 8 pm daily, across Star Sports and JioHotstar. In this edition, the prize pool jumps to Rs 3.05 crore - a bump up from Rs 2.51 crore in the previous season. Player interest has surged as well, with registration numbers skyrocketing from two lakh to 9.1 lakh.

Powered by Real Cricket™ and featuring a team-based format, the league will stage its matches in Bengaluru. According to organisers, this year marks a watershed moment in India’s esports evolution.

“GEPL is a high-energy league that mirrors the scale and professionalism of traditional sports. Our partnership with JioStar is a milestone; cementing our place on India’s biggest broadcast stage,” said JetSynthesys founder & CEO Rajan Navani.

CEO & league commissioner Rohit Potphode added, “With Season 2, we’ve sharpened our vision for GEPL that enables player growth, team development, and fan engagement at scale. Our presence on JioStar, across both streaming and TV, is strategic in expanding our reach and delivering a premier sports entertainment experience to millions of Indians.”

JioStar head of content - sports Siddharth Sharma remarked, “GEPL is a perfect example of innovation in sport, and we are committed to help it reach its full potential.”

As esports flexes its muscle on mainstream platforms, GEPL’s arrival on national broadcast is a sign of the times - a spectacle merging cricket’s legacy with the future of competitive play.