eNews
Cricket Australia app gets genAI lift courtesy HCLTech and Microsoft
MUMBAI: Global technology leaders HCLTech and Microsoft have partnered with Cricket Australia to leverage generative AI (GenAI) to transform the live match experience for cricket fans through the Cricket Australia Live app.
The app’s new AI Insights matchday companion delivers a continuous stream of text-based updates during matches. Using advanced AI with a deep understanding of cricket, the feature highlights key narratives, player performances, and significant milestones, providing insights that extend beyond live scores and commentary.
The AI Insights feature launched on 31 January during the day-night test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as part of the CommBank Women’s Ashes series between Australia and England. This innovation is now available to all users of the Cricket Australia Live app worldwide.
“By harnessing the power of generative AI, we can reimagine how fans engage with sport,” said HCLTech executive vice president and country manager for Australia and New ZealandSonia Eland. “We’ve partnered with Cricket Australia for several years as their official digital technology partner, and this collaboration with Microsoft will further enhance the digital experience, bringing fans closer to the action.”
Cricket Australia utilised Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service alongside HCLTech’s front-end and API development expertise to create the AI companion.
“We’re delighted to bring cutting-edge AI technology to cricket fans through our partnership with Cricket Australia and HCLTech,” said Microsoft Australia and New Zealand CTO Sarah Carney “This innovation shows how generative AI can transform interactions, providing personalised insights and deeper meaning for audiences.”
HCLTech first partnered with Cricket Australia in 2019 to modernise its core API platforms. In 2023, the partnership was extended for another five years. Key initiatives have included TechJam, a crowdsourcing effort to develop innovative solutions for the sport, and ongoing improvements that have made Cricket Australia Live the leading sports app in Australia.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with HCLTech and Microsoft to deliver brilliant experiences for our fans,” said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley. “Our goal is to lead the world in using digital technologies to bring fans closer to the game, and this latest innovation is a step forward in that journey.”
eNews
Swiggy sees record orders during India vs New Zealand T20 final
Chicken biryani tops match-day menu as fans order 7,500 times per minute at peak.
MUMBAI: India’s T20 final didn’t just break stumps, it broke Swiggy’s delivery records, proving cricket fans celebrate victories with plates, not just flags. Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand convenience platform, reported a sharp spike in food orders during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand. On 8 March 2026, overall orders rose 23.2 per cent year-on-year compared with the same date in 2025, driven by fans turning living rooms into mini stadiums complete with match-day feasts.
Key highlights from the evening:
- Orders during peak match hours (7–10 pm) were 2.1 times higher than pre-match levels.
- The highest order rate hit 7,500 orders per minute at 19:45.
- Chicken biryani reigned supreme as the most-ordered dish, followed by masala dosa, chicken fried rice, garlic breadsticks and paneer butter masala.
While metros such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad led volumes, the cricketing fever spread nationwide. Among emerging cities, Thiruvananthapuram, Surat and Rajkot recorded the strongest order growth. Smaller markets including Shillong, Agartala and Port Blair also showed significant appetite, underlining the expanding footprint of quick-commerce food delivery across India.
The surge reflects a growing trend of pairing major sporting events with doorstep delivery, turning big matches into shared, convenient celebrations. In a night where every boundary mattered, Swiggy proved the real MVP might just be the delivery partner who kept the snacks and the vibes flowing without missing a single wicket.
