Indian batting great Sunil Gavaskar revealed details of his meeting with Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Super 8s clash between India and South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, February 22. Pichai, who was part of the pre-match ceremony and carried the T20 World Cup trophy onto the field alongside Gavaskar, later described the former India captain as his childhood idol while speaking on air during the mid-innings break.
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“Sunny (Gavaskar) was a big idol for me. I used to have the Sportstar poster on my wall. I have followed it from really young days. I used to listen to it (commentary) on the radio for the games in the West Indies with my granddad, granduncle, and so on. I have always been into the game,” Pichai said after joining former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri in the commentary box.
Sunil Gavaskar revealed that he shares a warm equation with Sundar Pichai, recalling how the tech leader once told him he had Gavaskar’s posters in his bedroom while growing up. The former India captain said it is always special to reconnect with someone who has been a fan and has gone on to achieve remarkable success on the global stage.
“Well, I’ve met him before. Earlier on, he had told me about having my posters in his bedroom. It always feels nice to meet somebody who’s been a fan of yours, a well-wisher, and someone who has done so well in his career and achieved so much in the tech world. So yes, it was wonderful to meet him again. As we were walking out with the World Cup trophy, we both said we hoped Suryakumar Yadav would get his hands on it on the 8th. And I’m sure we’re both praying that happens,” Gavaskar told India Today.
The 53-year-old Pichai, born in Madurai, was in attendance as part of Google’s association with the tournament and later joined ICC Chair Jay Shah in the stands for the high-profile fixture, a rematch of the 2024 final.
Other dignitaries present included ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta. The official attendance for the match was 90,954.
On the field, David Miller struck 63 off 35 balls and Dewald Brevis added 45 off 29 as South Africa posted 187 for 7. In reply, India were bowled out for 111 in 18.5 overs, with Marco Jansen returning figures of 4 for 22 to seal a 76-run win for the Aiden Markram-led side.
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