In a star-studded moment at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Google CEO Sundar Pichai stole the spotlight during the T20 World Cup 2026 Super-8 match between India and South Africa on Sunday. The tech titan, born in Madurai, joined the elite crowd of high-profile attendees, rubbing shoulders with ICC Chairman Jay Shah in the stands.
Before the blockbuster clash kicked off, Pichai shared a memorable walk onto the field alongside Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, proudly carrying the T20 World Cup trophy. The gesture underscored Google’s role as an official tournament partner, highlighting the deepening ties between global tech giants and international cricket.
During the mid-innings break, Pichai went live on air with commentator Ravi Shastri, opening up about his lifelong passion for the game. ‘Sunny (Gavaskar) has been a huge inspiration for me. I had his poster on my wall,’ he shared, reminiscing about listening to West Indies match commentaries on the radio with his grandfather and family from a young age. ‘Cricket has always been a part of my life.’
On the field, South Africa set a challenging target, posting 187/7 in their 20 overs. Dewald Brevis smashed 45 runs, David Miller blazed 63 off 35 balls, and Tristan Stubbs remained not out on 44 from 24 deliveries. India’s Jasprit Bumrah starred with the ball, claiming 3 crucial wickets. As the home team eyes a strong start to their Super-8 campaign, Pichai’s presence added an extra layer of excitement to this high-stakes encounter, blending corporate power with cricket’s universal appeal.