Venkat Ananth
@venkat.bsky.social
Bengaluru-based independent journalist and editorial consultant. I write about technology policy and the business of sport.
Words: Indian Express, The Signal, The Economic Times, The Ken, Mint, and Hindustan Times.
I love going down a good rabbit hole.
Words: Indian Express, The Signal, The Economic Times, The Ken, Mint, and Hindustan Times.
I love going down a good rabbit hole.
india was rightly called the sleeping giant of women's cricket. now it has woken up, and how!
i wrote a few words about the business behind India's women's World Cup win and how that changes the economics of women's cricket (+ sport) globally. www.stateofplay.club/india-world-...
i wrote a few words about the business behind India's women's World Cup win and how that changes the economics of women's cricket (+ sport) globally. www.stateofplay.club/india-world-...
The business behind India’s Women’s World Cup win
India’s World Cup win was the result of years of incremental reform, steady investment, and a league that treated women’s cricket as a business worth building.
www.stateofplay.club
November 8, 2025 at 2:08 AM
india was rightly called the sleeping giant of women's cricket. now it has woken up, and how!
i wrote a few words about the business behind India's women's World Cup win and how that changes the economics of women's cricket (+ sport) globally. www.stateofplay.club/india-world-...
i wrote a few words about the business behind India's women's World Cup win and how that changes the economics of women's cricket (+ sport) globally. www.stateofplay.club/india-world-...
The State of Play’s first subscriber-only story 🔒 is live. It is about how a Mumbai-based tyre manufacturer has been quietly building one of the most distinctive (and eclectic) portfolios in sport. Do subscribe and read. www.stateofplay.club/bkt-sports-s...
The calculus of sport: How BKT built a global brand off the beaten path
An Indian industrial brand has rewritten the rules of sports marketing, backing small-town leagues and rural audiences from Italy to Australia, turning proximity into strategy.
www.stateofplay.club
October 18, 2025 at 3:22 AM
The State of Play’s first subscriber-only story 🔒 is live. It is about how a Mumbai-based tyre manufacturer has been quietly building one of the most distinctive (and eclectic) portfolios in sport. Do subscribe and read. www.stateofplay.club/bkt-sports-s...
this is a great, long read.
“The screen revolution will shape our politics as profoundly as the reading revolution of the eighteenth century.”
“The screen revolution will shape our politics as profoundly as the reading revolution of the eighteenth century.”
The dawn of the post-literate society
And the end of civilisation
open.substack.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:32 AM
this is a great, long read.
“The screen revolution will shape our politics as profoundly as the reading revolution of the eighteenth century.”
“The screen revolution will shape our politics as profoundly as the reading revolution of the eighteenth century.”
back after a hiatus.
early this week, I launched The State of Play, a weekly, subscription-led publication on the business of sport, written from an Indian lens.
on Friday, I dropped a scene-setting essay on Indian sport’s $40 billion reset.
do read and subscribe (and share, if possible). 👇🏽
early this week, I launched The State of Play, a weekly, subscription-led publication on the business of sport, written from an Indian lens.
on Friday, I dropped a scene-setting essay on Indian sport’s $40 billion reset.
do read and subscribe (and share, if possible). 👇🏽
The $40 billion reset
Capital is flowing, franchises are multiplying, and participation is surging. But India's sporting infrastructure is being constructed in real time — and the gap between commercial momentum and instit...
www.stateofplay.club
October 12, 2025 at 6:04 AM
back after a hiatus.
early this week, I launched The State of Play, a weekly, subscription-led publication on the business of sport, written from an Indian lens.
on Friday, I dropped a scene-setting essay on Indian sport’s $40 billion reset.
do read and subscribe (and share, if possible). 👇🏽
early this week, I launched The State of Play, a weekly, subscription-led publication on the business of sport, written from an Indian lens.
on Friday, I dropped a scene-setting essay on Indian sport’s $40 billion reset.
do read and subscribe (and share, if possible). 👇🏽
"The hype is quenching brands’ thirst for profit: the value of sales of portable drinkware in America reached $4bn in the year ending in May 2025; some 270m containers were sold in the country, up from 240m two years ago." - fascinating. on the primarily Gen Z-led business of water bottles.
Water bottles, the accessory Gen Z is thirsting after
Oversize tumblers reveal more about fashion than wellness
www.economist.com
July 20, 2025 at 7:04 AM
"The hype is quenching brands’ thirst for profit: the value of sales of portable drinkware in America reached $4bn in the year ending in May 2025; some 270m containers were sold in the country, up from 240m two years ago." - fascinating. on the primarily Gen Z-led business of water bottles.
Reposted by Venkat Ananth
You’re telling me this guy was on drugs? I’m not buying it.
May 31, 2025 at 12:14 AM
You’re telling me this guy was on drugs? I’m not buying it.
Reposted by Venkat Ananth
China has become the most powerful player in the grim drama of Myanmar’s civil war. To see how, follow an oil-and-gas pipeline through three conflict zones https://econ.trib.al/EaId2hj
China calls the shots in Myanmar's civil war
To see how, follow an oil-and-gas pipeline through three conflict zones
econ.trib.al
May 31, 2025 at 11:07 AM
China has become the most powerful player in the grim drama of Myanmar’s civil war. To see how, follow an oil-and-gas pipeline through three conflict zones https://econ.trib.al/EaId2hj
this is a must-read, and well-reported account of how Columbia University capitulated to Trump and co.
How Trump Defeated Columbia
The inside story of an unconditional surrender.
nymag.com
May 25, 2025 at 6:50 AM
this is a must-read, and well-reported account of how Columbia University capitulated to Trump and co.
fascinating. the trump tariffs and their impact on the cola wars
The Trump Tariffs Are Tilting the Scales in the Coke vs. Pepsi Battle
PepsiCo makes nearly all of the concentrate for its U.S. sodas in Ireland, unlike Coca-Cola.
www.wsj.com
April 21, 2025 at 6:19 AM
fascinating. the trump tariffs and their impact on the cola wars
interesting. puma is now returning to its running roots with its “Fast-R Nitro Elite sneakers”
Puma was proper pioneer in running with legendary shoe lines such as Osaka, before its eventual pivot to “sports lifestyle” 👟
Puma was proper pioneer in running with legendary shoe lines such as Osaka, before its eventual pivot to “sports lifestyle” 👟
Puma’s New Running Shoes Offer Hope For a Brand Desperate to Win
Once a pioneer in high-performance sneakers, the company is playing catch-up in an increasingly competitive field
www.bloomberg.com
April 18, 2025 at 6:18 AM
interesting. puma is now returning to its running roots with its “Fast-R Nitro Elite sneakers”
Puma was proper pioneer in running with legendary shoe lines such as Osaka, before its eventual pivot to “sports lifestyle” 👟
Puma was proper pioneer in running with legendary shoe lines such as Osaka, before its eventual pivot to “sports lifestyle” 👟
apple's suppliers shipped ~$2 billion worth of iPhones from India in march, an all-time high: reuters citing customs data
foxconn - $1.31b worth of smartphone exports in march (highest ever in a month, and jan + feb combined). total for 2025 ($5.3b)
tata - $612m for march, up 63% from feb.
wild!
foxconn - $1.31b worth of smartphone exports in march (highest ever in a month, and jan + feb combined). total for 2025 ($5.3b)
tata - $612m for march, up 63% from feb.
wild!
Apple airlifted iPhones worth a record $2 billion from India in March as Trump tariffs loomed
Apple's main India suppliers Foxconn and Tata shipped nearly $2 billion worth of iPhones to the United States in March, an all-time high, as the U.S. company airlifted devices to bypass President Donald Trump's impending tariffs, customs data shows.
www.reuters.com
April 15, 2025 at 3:12 PM
apple's suppliers shipped ~$2 billion worth of iPhones from India in march, an all-time high: reuters citing customs data
foxconn - $1.31b worth of smartphone exports in march (highest ever in a month, and jan + feb combined). total for 2025 ($5.3b)
tata - $612m for march, up 63% from feb.
wild!
foxconn - $1.31b worth of smartphone exports in march (highest ever in a month, and jan + feb combined). total for 2025 ($5.3b)
tata - $612m for march, up 63% from feb.
wild!
not going to happen. so well.
Lutnick: "The army of millions and millions of human beings screwing in little screws to make iPhones -- that kind of thing is going to come to America."
April 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM
not going to happen. so well.
"Russia ran a trade surplus with America of $2.5bn last year. Had the calculation applied to it, the country would have faced a tariff of about 40%" www.economist.com/finance-and-...
Five crazy Trump tariffs you wouldn’t believe
Saint Pierre and Miquelon earns a dubious honour
www.economist.com
April 6, 2025 at 12:29 PM
"Russia ran a trade surplus with America of $2.5bn last year. Had the calculation applied to it, the country would have faced a tariff of about 40%" www.economist.com/finance-and-...
This, by @sbg1.bsky.social is a must read.
"In his second-term White House, they are all Steve Bannons now." www.newyorker.com/news/letter-...
"In his second-term White House, they are all Steve Bannons now." www.newyorker.com/news/letter-...
Donald Trump’s Ego Melts the Global Economy
On a chilly Wednesday afternoon, the President announced he would single-handedly blow up a century’s worth of globalization.
www.newyorker.com
April 6, 2025 at 8:55 AM
This, by @sbg1.bsky.social is a must read.
"In his second-term White House, they are all Steve Bannons now." www.newyorker.com/news/letter-...
"In his second-term White House, they are all Steve Bannons now." www.newyorker.com/news/letter-...
Wow.
“Apple is said to have shipped *five* planeloads of iPhones and other products to the US over just three days to stock up its warehouses and ensure prices don't surge.”
“Apple is said to have shipped *five* planeloads of iPhones and other products to the US over just three days to stock up its warehouses and ensure prices don't surge.”
April 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Wow.
“Apple is said to have shipped *five* planeloads of iPhones and other products to the US over just three days to stock up its warehouses and ensure prices don't surge.”
“Apple is said to have shipped *five* planeloads of iPhones and other products to the US over just three days to stock up its warehouses and ensure prices don't surge.”
this is so 🇰🇵
According to the White House, once again the president is proving the best golfer in a closed tournament at his own club:
“The President won his second round matchup of the Senior Club Championship today in Jupiter, FL, and advances to the Championship Round tomorrow.”
“The President won his second round matchup of the Senior Club Championship today in Jupiter, FL, and advances to the Championship Round tomorrow.”
April 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
this is so 🇰🇵
wow. just saw this shakti concert during an unrelated rabbit hole trip (some other band etc!)
bonus: a recreation of the iconic lotus feet ft. shankar mahadevan in the second half of the video! amazing.
bonus: a recreation of the iconic lotus feet ft. shankar mahadevan in the second half of the video! amazing.
Shakti: Tiny Desk Concert
YouTube video by NPR Music
youtu.be
January 15, 2025 at 12:52 PM
wow. just saw this shakti concert during an unrelated rabbit hole trip (some other band etc!)
bonus: a recreation of the iconic lotus feet ft. shankar mahadevan in the second half of the video! amazing.
bonus: a recreation of the iconic lotus feet ft. shankar mahadevan in the second half of the video! amazing.
a good read on why matcha is having a moment
Why matcha, made from green tea, is the drink of the moment
Is it really a healthy alternative to coffee? Not the way Gen Z orders it
www.economist.com
January 15, 2025 at 9:12 AM
a good read on why matcha is having a moment
immensely enjoyed this excellent @newyorker.com profile of lauren boebert and how she explains the broader political dynamics in colorado
Lauren Boebert’s Survival Instincts
The Colorado congresswoman’s inflammatory rhetoric has made her a national symbol of the Trumpist far right. She presents a different image closer to home.
www.newyorker.com
January 15, 2025 at 8:19 AM
immensely enjoyed this excellent @newyorker.com profile of lauren boebert and how she explains the broader political dynamics in colorado
phew! what a story. proper banger.
this *should* be picked up by one of the streaming platforms
this *should* be picked up by one of the streaming platforms
The Twin Bandits Who (Nearly) Outsmarted Australian Police
The police couldn’t figure out how the perpetrator ripped off two banks at the same time. Until they discovered there wasn’t just one robber but a pair of them: identical twin brothers.
magazine.atavist.com
January 13, 2025 at 3:42 AM
phew! what a story. proper banger.
this *should* be picked up by one of the streaming platforms
this *should* be picked up by one of the streaming platforms
interesting essay on the coming battle between social media and the state (and why mark zuckerberg tilted to the right as he did last week)
The coming battle between social media and the state
Behind the alignment of X and Meta with Trump is a cold business logic — and a position of weakness rather than strength
www.ft.com
January 12, 2025 at 6:03 AM
interesting essay on the coming battle between social media and the state (and why mark zuckerberg tilted to the right as he did last week)
this is a great read on the decline of socialization, and how that is upending our personalities, our politics, and our relationship with reality
The Anti-Social Century
Americans are now spending more time alone than ever. It’s changing our personalities, our politics, and even our relationship to reality.
www.theatlantic.com
January 12, 2025 at 5:31 AM
this is a great read on the decline of socialization, and how that is upending our personalities, our politics, and our relationship with reality
wow. on china’s “micro-drama” rage—a new-media format dubbed as a crossover between TikTok and Netflix, where episodes are filmed in a vertical format and last just over a min each.
the value of the micro-drama grew 10x between 2021 & 2023. currently valued at $5.3b expected to hit $14b by 2027 😱
the value of the micro-drama grew 10x between 2021 & 2023. currently valued at $5.3b expected to hit $14b by 2027 😱
China’s ultra-short dramas will enjoy long-term success
The market for China’s micro-dramas—mini soap operas designed for the smartphone generation—is growing
www.economist.com
January 12, 2025 at 4:24 AM
wow. on china’s “micro-drama” rage—a new-media format dubbed as a crossover between TikTok and Netflix, where episodes are filmed in a vertical format and last just over a min each.
the value of the micro-drama grew 10x between 2021 & 2023. currently valued at $5.3b expected to hit $14b by 2027 😱
the value of the micro-drama grew 10x between 2021 & 2023. currently valued at $5.3b expected to hit $14b by 2027 😱