Former star Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka will invest in a Karnataka beverage unit

By making an investment in India’s food and beverage sector, renowned cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan is venturing into uncharted terrain. A big beverage and confectionery manufacturing facility is slated to be established in Badanakuppe, in the Chamarajanagara district of Karnataka, by the world record holder for most wickets in Test and ODI cricket.

After meeting with Karnataka’s Minister of Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil, Muralitharan recently announced the launch of his new business endeavour, “Muttiah Beverages and Confectioneries”. By creating jobs and improving infrastructure, the project is anticipated to significantly strengthen the local economy.

The project’s scope and scale have expanded from what was originally estimated to be an investment of INR 230 crore to an ambitious multi-phase project at INR 1,400 crore. The manufacturing facility would be established on 46 acres of allocated land at a cost of INR 1,000 crore in the first phase alone.

Currently, Muttiah Muralitharan is the IPL bowling coach for the SRH.

According to Minister Patil, the government has already taken care of minor land issues and is determined to make sure that operations are launched without a hitch by January 2025. He outlined intentions to soon open another unit in the Dharwad district and emphasised the long-term goals of former cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan.

Muralitharan sees this move into the beverage and confectionary industries as a way to expand his commercial interests outside of sports. Probably drawn by the state’s business-friendly laws and abundant natural resources ideal for the food processing sector, the renowned spinner decided to launch his Indian endeavours in Karnataka.

Surprisingly, the 52-year-old icon is still involved in the game. He is the bowling coach for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and the team advanced to the league finals under his direction.