Pichai and other prominent Indian CEOs are collaborating in a $97 million bid for a cricket team.

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Alphabet’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, has reportedly joined a distinguished group of Silicon Valley leaders in their pursuit of acquiring a cricket team based in London, according to sources. This consortium, spearheaded by Nikesh Arora, the CEO of Palo Alto Networks, along with Satyan Gajwani, the vice chairman of Times Internet, has allegedly placed a bid exceeding $97 million for either the Oval Invincibles or the London Spirit. These teams participate in The Hundred, a short-format cricket tournament designed to engage younger audiences and families. The consortium also features prominent figures such as Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe, and Egon Durban, co-CEO of Silver Lake Management. Indian American technology executives have played a crucial role in enhancing the popularity of cricket in the United States. Both Nadella and Narayen have invested in Major League Cricket, highlighting the sport’s increasing allure beyond its traditional strongholds.

Pichai, a passionate cricket fan, has a significant connection to the game, which, while originating in England, has garnered immense popularity in countries like India, largely due to the lucrative contracts associated with the Indian Premier League. In an effort to strengthen the financial prospects of cricket in England, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has welcomed private investment for the eight teams participating in The Hundred since September. The auction, facilitated by Raine Group—the investment bank responsible for the sales of Manchester United and Chelsea FC—aims to generate over $308 million.