India (Commonwealth Union) — During his visit to India, tech executive Sundar Pichai added a touch of star power to India’s Super 8 match against South Africa at the ICC T20 World Cup. The match, staged at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, drew thousands of fans, but many were equally intrigued by the presence of one of the world’s most influential technology leaders.
To everyone’s surprise, Pichai was pictured in the commentary box with former India head coach Ravi Shastri. As the high-stakes contest progressed, the two engaged in playful banter, immediately drawing spectators’ attention and generating excitement on social media.
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Furthermore, Pichai’s appearance created an unexpected crossover between the worlds of cricket and global technology. Before the first ball was bowled, he took part in a ceremonial moment on the field. Standing beside Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar, Pichai helped unveil the tournament trophy. The pair later carried it onto the ground, posing for photographs as cameras flashed around them. The occasion was further marked by Jay Shah, who presented Pichai with a commemorative memento.
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In a post shared online, Shah welcomed the Google chief and highlighted the growing collaboration between the International Cricket Council and Google to expand the sport’s global reach and enhance the fan experience.
On the field, South Africa delivered an assertive batting display, posting 187 for 7 in their 20 overs. David Miller led the charge with a brisk 63 off 35 balls, while Dewald Brevis contributed a fluent 45. Tristan Stubbs remained unbeaten on 44 from 24 deliveries.
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A costly final over from Hardik Pandya, which yielded 20 runs, helped South Africa push their total beyond the 180-run mark. Pichai’s stadium visit occurred shortly after he attended the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, which focused on using artificial intelligence to drive equitable global prosperity. During the conference, a video of him smiling and waving to cheering participants went viral, demonstrating his growing popularity beyond the technology sector.
