Sports

The Story of ZAP Cricket: From Rs 500 to a Global Cricket Brand

• ByStartupStory     |    October 1, 2024

In 2015, Bhavya Bharadwaj, a second-year engineering student from Meerut, India, faced a dilemma that many students encounter: the traditional career paths ahead of him didn’t spark any excitement. The job offers felt uninspiring, and the need to carve out his own journey grew stronger. With just Rs 500 in hand, Bhavya took a bold step and started ZAP Cricket—a decision that would change his life.

Hailing from a middle-class family with no business background, Bhavya had no safety net to rely on. He juggled his studies with the demands of a budding venture, often putting in eighteen-hour days. ZAP Cricket started small, focusing on trading cricket equipment, but the road was far from easy. The initial phase saw Bhavya struggling with online sales, experimenting with different products before he zeroed in on selling cricket bats.

Realizing the need for his own identity in the market, Bhavya launched the ZAP brand, determined to make a name for himself. But even with this pivot, the hurdles kept coming. Platforms like Amazon didn’t yield the results he hoped for, and the early days were filled with challenges and setbacks. However, Bhavya’s relentless drive and passion kept him moving forward.

The turning point for ZAP Cricket came when Bhavya shifted from trading to manufacturing. He built an in-house manufacturing unit, ensuring that the products reflected his commitment to quality. Slowly, the brand began to gain recognition. What started as a one-man operation in a student’s dorm room evolved into a full-fledged cricket bat manufacturer, catering to major brands like Puma and catching the attention of high-profile clients, including the king of Udaipur.

A defining moment for ZAP Cricket came when it became the first Indian brand to sponsor the Nepal cricket team. This partnership played a significant role in Nepal’s journey, as they qualified for major tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup. Nepal’s star players, including Sompal Kami, wielded ZAP bats with pride—Kami even hit sixes off Hardik Pandya’s bowling with a ZAP bat, a moment that propelled the brand to new heights.

But Bhavya’s journey was far from smooth. He faced immense pressure from his family to secure a stable job and had to navigate business challenges while dealing with negativity from naysayers. Despite these struggles, Bhavya stayed true to his vision, believing in the potential of his brand.

Today, ZAP Cricket is a globally recognized brand, exporting made-in-India cricket bats to countries like Nepal, the USA, Dubai, Australia, the UK, and various cricket boards worldwide. ZAP’s commitment to quality has earned it recognition from the Prime Minister of India, and the brand’s reputation for handcrafting high-quality, durable cricket equipment continues to grow.

Bhavya’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and passion. From starting with Rs 500 to building a global cricket brand, he has shown that success is not defined by your background but by your determination to make a difference. The rebellious spirit that once led him to stray from the conventional path continues to drive ZAP Cricket’s growth and success.

ZAP Cricket’s journey is not just about building a business; it’s about fueling the dreams of cricketers, from aspiring athletes to international players. With each handcrafted bat, Bhavya ensures that the essence of the game is preserved, and the passion of every cricketer is honored.

As Bhavya himself says, “Cricket is more than a sport—it’s a way of life for every Indian. ZAP Cricket was founded to fuel this passion, one bat at a time.”

About ZAP Cricket

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Meerut, India, ZAP Cricket has grown into a global cricket brand known for its precision-manufactured, handcrafted bats. Operating on a B2B2C business model, the company now supplies cricket equipment to some of the biggest cricketing nations. With a dedicated team and the visionary leadership of founder and CEO Bhavya Bharadwaj, ZAP Cricket continues to challenge traditional manufacturing methods and bring world-class cricket gear to the global stage.

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