The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a last-minute agreement with Google, integrating the tech giant's Google Pixel smartphone and Gemini AI service into the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. This partnership aims to enhance fan engagement and experiences, leveraging Google's AI capabilities and camera technology. The Gemini app will feature an 'explore cricket' tab, offering statistical insights and interactive games. Meanwhile, Pixel cameras will capture and share content across digital and social media platforms. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta emphasized the collaboration's potential to deepen engagement and make cricket more accessible globally. This deal builds on Google's previous partnership with the ICC for the Women's Cricket World Cup and its recent collaboration with India's BCCI for the IPL. With India's leading position in AI adoption, particularly among younger demographics, the IPL and WPL are expected to target these markets. The 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will have its global media rights covered by various platforms, including JioStar's Star Sports in India, Dialog TV in Sri Lanka, MyCo in Pakistan, Sky Sports in the UK, Prime Video in Australia, and SuperSport in South Africa and Namibia. The UAE and Middle East will be covered by StarzPlay's CricLife Max and VOX, while the US and Canada will see games on Willow TV and Disney+, respectively. Other rights holders include Total Sport Management, PNG Digicel, Hub Sports 4, Lemar TV, Kantipur TV, and CricBuzz, with in-flight and at-sea coverage via Sport24.
