From Blinkit to Zomato CEO: Spotlight on Albinder Dhindsa’s Leadership Journey

In one of India’s most dramatic corporate leadership shifts, Deepinder Goyal has stepped aside as Group CEO of Eternal Limited, handing the reins to Blinkit founder Albinder Dhindsa. The move elevates an operator who once faced exit pressure into the top job at Zomato’s parent company, signalling a decisive pivot from founder-led experimentation to execution-first leadership.

Here’s how and why the transition unfolded.

Who is Albinder Dhindsa?

Albinder Dhindsa, 43, is the co-founder of Blinkit, formerly Grofers. An IIT Delhi graduate with an MBA from Columbia Business School, he earlier served as Head of International Operations at Zomato before launching Grofers in 2013 with Saurabh Kumar.

After years of struggle in online grocery, Grofers pivoted to 10-minute deliveries in 2021 and rebranded as Blinkit. Zomato acquired the company in 2022 for $568 million, placing Dhindsa back inside the Zomato ecosystem.

Why did Deepinder Goyal choose Albinder Dhindsa as Zomato CEO?

Goyal credited Dhindsa with turning Blinkit from a cash-burning acquisition into Eternal’s fastest-growing business. In his shareholder letter, Goyal described Dhindsa as a “battle-hardened founder” whose execution skills surpass his own.

The appointment reflects a strategic shift: prioritising operational discipline and profitability over aggressive experimentation.

What challenges did Dhindsa face after the Blinkit acquisition?

Dhindsa reportedly faced intense pressure during Blinkit’s early post-acquisition struggles and was even asked to step down twice. Instead of exiting, he focused on fixing operations, tightening supply chains, and stabilising unit economics.

During this period, his wife Akriti Chopra, Zomato’s former Chief People Officer, resigned in 2024 following shareholder concerns around potential conflicts of interest.

How did Albinder Dhindsa turn Blinkit around?

Before the acquisition, Dhindsa raised over $700 million from investors including SoftBank, Tiger Global, and Sequoia Capital. His bold pivot from a faltering grocery model to ultra-fast delivery redefined India’s quick commerce sector.

Under his leadership, Blinkit moved toward breakeven, proving that speed-led commerce could scale sustainably.

What will Albinder Dhindsa change as Zomato CEO?

As Group CEO of Eternal Limited, Dhindsa will control day-to-day execution, operating priorities, and business decisions across food delivery and quick commerce. Deepinder Goyal will step into the role of Vice Chairman, focusing on long-term strategy rather than operations.

This marks a clear division between vision-setting and execution.

What regulatory challenges lie ahead?

Quick commerce platforms, including Blinkit, are under regulatory scrutiny. Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has directed companies to eliminate rigid 10-minute delivery commitments, citing worker safety concerns.

Dhindsa had earlier defended the model, claiming zero accidents, but mounting regulatory pressure may force operational recalibration with greater emphasis on rider welfare.

How does Dhindsa’s leadership style differ from Goyal’s?

Dhindsa is known for his data-driven, efficiency-first approach, prioritising logistics optimisation and unit economics. Unlike growth-at-any-cost strategies, his leadership style favours measurable outcomes and course correction when models fail, as seen in the Grofers-to-Blinkit pivot.

What does this mean for competition in food delivery and quick commerce?

The appointment strengthens Eternal’s position against rivals like Swiggy and Zepto. With Blinkit as a growth engine and Zomato’s food delivery business stabilised, brokerages expect sustained momentum—though profitability in newer segments remains a challenge.

What happens to Deepinder Goyal now?

Goyal will remain on Eternal’s board as Vice Chairman, subject to shareholder approval. He said he is drawn to higher-risk exploration better pursued outside a public company. All his unvested ESOPs will return to the pool, avoiding shareholder dilution and benefiting future leadership.

(With inputs from yMedia)