Cricket is a religion in India. There are few things that truly and so passionately bind Indians across as the game of Cricket. Little surprising then that two of the biggest India-born names in the world of technology — Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella — are as passionate about this ‘gentleman’s game’. Both the CEOs have many a times spoken openly about their love for the game and support for the Indian cricket team.
Pichai congratulated India on their win over South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, calling it “what a game” and “so well deserved”. He also advocated for more cricket tournaments to be held globally, including in the United States and the West Indies.
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The Chennai-born CEO has shared how he admired Sachin Tendulkar during his growing up days and even aspired to become a cricketer.
Sundar Pichai’s cricket twist to Google’s ugly sweater contest
In one of the most recent incidents, Pichai wore a Black Pullover decorated with Cricket Bats, a Cricket ball, and Christmas trees to Google’s 2024 ugly sweater contest. “We closed out 2024 with our first-ever Google-wide ugly sweater holiday contest last week. Gemini was the judge, and I have to say, it has good taste:) Congrats to the winners, and thanks to everyone for the fun end to the year,” wrote Pichai in an Instagram post.
The “ugly” Christmas sweater, now a beloved holiday tradition, emerged from the festive knitwear trend of the 1950s. While designs became increasingly elaborate by the 1980s, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that these sweaters gained ironic popularity, particularly among millennials, solidifying their place as a quirky fashion statement.
Satya Nadella: Cricket taught me leadership qualities
As a big fan of Cricket, Microsoft CEO while talking about his love for the game, said in an interview that the game is more than a religion. “As an Indian and a South Asian, I think it’s more than a religion. For all of us, it’s what we grew up with.” Nadella also shared instances where he was inspired by his teammates and the captain in high school taught him life lessons that developed into leadership qualities.
