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Pichai, fellow-Indian CEOs in US bid for UK cricket team
The group also includes Microsoft Corp. CEO Satya Nadella, Adobe Inc. CEO Shantanu Narayen, and Egon Durban, co-CEO of Silver Lake Management LLC.
CEO Sundar Pichai. / Getty Images
Alphabet Inc. CEO Sundar Pichai has joined a group of prominent Silicon Valley executives bidding for a London-based cricket team, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The consortium, reportedly led by Palo Alto Networks Inc. CEO Nikesh Arora and Indian media tycoon Satyan Gajwani, vice chairman of Times Internet Ltd., has submitted a bid exceeding $97 million (£80 million) for either the Oval Invincibles or London Spirit. Both teams participate in The Hundred, a short-form cricket tournament in England and Wales that aims to attract younger audiences and families.
The group also includes Microsoft Corp. CEO Satya Nadella, Adobe Inc. CEO Shantanu Narayen, and Egon Durban, co-CEO of Silver Lake Management LLC. The individuals cited requested anonymity as the information remains private. Representatives for the consortium declined to comment.
Pichai, a cricket enthusiast, has a long-standing connection to the sport. Cricket, which originated in England, has seen its influence wane there compared to India, where the Indian Premier League (IPL) has drawn global attention with lucrative contracts, massive sponsorships, and large TV audiences.
Indian-origin tech leaders have played a significant role in expanding cricket’s reach in the United States. Nadella and Narayen have invested in Major League Cricket, reflecting the sport's growing appeal outside traditional markets.
To strengthen cricket's financial standing domestically, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) opened the process for private investment into The Hundred's eight teams in September. The auction, managed by Raine Group, the investment bank involved in the sales of Manchester United and Chelsea FC, seeks to raise over $308 million (£300 million).
The ECB has asked franchises to shortlist two preferred bidders for the final auction round. London Spirit, which plays at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground—widely referred to as the "home of cricket"—has attracted significant interest due to its historic significance.
The Hundred, launched in 2021, features a unique format where each side faces 100 balls, designed to simplify the game and appeal to new audiences. Since its inception, the tournament has drawn over 2 million spectators across its eight venues in England and Wales.
The ECB currently owns a 49 percent stake in each of the teams but has offered the option of a full takeover as part of the bidding process. According to the ECB's website, the men’s and women’s Hundred competitions generate approximately $61 million (£60 million) annually through broadcasting rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships.
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