John Abraham has found a new racetrack to call his own. On Monday, October 26, the actor and motorcycle enthusiast was announced as the Strategic Advisor of the Indian Superbike League (ISBL), a new franchise-based championship that wants to turn superbike racing in India from a niche passion into a full-blown sporting spectacle.
“Motorcycles have always been a deeply personal passion,” Abraham said in a statement shared by the league. “Being a sports team owner has also taught me what it takes to turn belief into sustained commitment. ISBL brings those two parts of my life together. I want to help young Indian riders get the opportunities they deserve and share the thrill of motorcycle racing with a whole new generation of fans. It is time to Get India Racing.”
What is the Indian Superbike League?
ISBL describes itself as India’s first superbike league. It is sanctioned by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), the body that governs motorsport in the country, which gives the championship a formal sporting structure rather than leaving it as a one-off exhibition series.
The league will run as a franchise-based championship. According to the announcement, it will feature two Pro categories alongside Amateur, Female Riders and Rookie classes. That mix matters, because it suggests the league is not only chasing established stars. It wants a ladder: a place where a young rider can start, learn, and work towards the top tier.
The league wants to build an ecosystem around teams, technical crews, brands, creators and fans, with music and culture woven into race weekends. In other words, ISBL is pitching itself as a sport-meets-entertainment property, closer in feel to a modern franchise league than to a traditional race meeting.
Why John Abraham fits the role
Very few Bollywood stars are as closely identified with motorcycles as Abraham, and he also brings experience from the other side of the owner’s table. As a sports team owner, he has seen what it takes to build a franchise
and connect it with fans. ISBL will be hoping that combination helps it avoid the short-lived fate of many new leagues.
The people behind the league
ISBL is led by CEO Pranav Bakre, who comes from a family of racers and has described building the league as deeply personal. “I come from a family of racers, so building ISBL is deeply personal,” Bakre said. “My ambition is to carry that legacy forward and open doors for the next generation.”
The anchor investor is Avi Jain, managing director of the Dhuleva Group. Jain said the goal is to build a commercially sustainable league that fans return to and partners want to support season after season. That commercial point is important: for Indian motorsport to grow, it needs sponsors, broadcasters and paying fans, not just enthusiasm on race day.
The league’s stated ambition is to take Indian motorcycle racing to a global stage. That is a big promise, and it will be judged on the details that follow: the quality of the racing, the safety standards, the depth of the rider pool, and whether fans actually show up, in person and on screen.
What we still do not know
- Teams and riders: The league has not yet named its franchise teams or its rider line-ups.
- Race formats: Details of race weekends, points systems and season length are still to be announced.
- Venues and dates: No race calendar or host cities have been confirmed yet.
- Broadcast plans: How fans will watch the league has not been revealed.
Those gaps are normal for a launch announcement, but they are also where the real test lies. A promo film can create buzz in a day. A league is built over seasons.
Why this could matter for Indian motorsport
India has no shortage of motorcycle fans. Two-wheelers dominate the country’s roads, and riding culture runs deep. What India has lacked is a structured, high-profile stage for superbike racing, one that gives young riders a visible path and gives fans a reason to follow the sport week after week.
A franchise league with a dedicated class for female riders and a rookie pathway could help fill that gap. With FMSCI sanctioning, a franchise model, and Abraham fronting the launch, ISBL has given itself a strong starting grid. The next announcements, teams, riders, venues and dates, will show whether it can turn Monday’s buzz into a championship that lasts.
FAQs
What role has John Abraham taken at ISBL?
He has joined the Indian Superbike League as its Strategic Advisor, a role announced on October 26, 2026.
What is the Indian Superbike League?
It is India’s first franchise-based superbike league, sanctioned by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), combining professional racing with entertainment and motorcycle culture.
Which categories will the league feature?
Two Pro categories, plus Amateur, Female Riders and Rookie classes.
When will teams, venues and race dates be announced?
The league has said further details on teams, riders, race formats and venues will be announced in due course. No dates have been confirmed yet.
What did John Abraham say about the league?
He said motorcycles have always been a deeply personal passion and that he wants to help young Indian riders get the opportunities they deserve, adding: “It is time to Get India Racing.”
For now, the starting lights are on. The race to build India’s superbike league has officially begun.
