Google CEO Sundar Pichai expressed his enthusiasm for the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, highlighting the increased participation of teams this year.

In a post on X, Mr. Pichai shared his excitement for the global growth of his favourite sport, which is being celebrated with a dedicated Google Doodle.

“More teams than ever will participate in the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup this year. Exciting to see my favorite sport growing globally – and celebrated in today’s #Doodle. First toss is in a few hours – good luck to all the teams!” said Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 kickstarted on June 2 in the USA and West Indies.

This tournament is the ninth edition since it started in 2009. The United States is the host nation this year, and a record 20 teams from around the world will compete on the big stage. The teams are divided into four groups of five for the group stage, and face off against every other country in their group once.

The ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup gives the best men’s cricketers in the world the opportunity to show off their skills and represent their nation. The ICC T20 World Cup will be played in the West Indies and the USA from June 1 to 29.

The USA and Canada will lock horns against each other in the tournament’s opener at the Grand Prairie Stadium on Sunday.

In the tournament, India will be aiming to end their ICC trophy drought, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.Since then, India has reached the 50-over World Cup final in 2023, semifinal in 2015 and 2019, the title clash of the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023, T20 WC final in 2014, semifinals in 2016 and 2022 but failed to secure a big ICC trophy.

India will be aiming to win their first T20 WC title since they won the inaugural edition of the tournament back in 2007 in South Africa. In the last edition held in Australia in 2022, India lost to England by 10 wickets in the semifinals.

India T20 WC Squad:

Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

New Delhi:

As India continues its monumental democratic exercise, Google on Friday joined in to mark the second phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 with a symbolic gesture.

Google launched a Doodle on its homepage, replacing its iconic logo with an image depicting an uplifted index finger marked with ink – a symbol synonymous with the democratic process of Indian elections.

By clicking on the Doodle, users are directed to the search results related to the latest updates on the elections in India.

Polling commenced today across 88 constituencies spread across 13 states and Union Territories in the second phase of the 18th Lok Sabha elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah both took to social media platforms to encourage citizens to participate in record numbers.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of each vote, urging young and female voters to turn out in great numbers.

Similarly, Mr Shah appealed to citizens to contribute to the democratic process by exercising their right to vote for a stronger, secure, and prosperous nation.

The voting process, which began at 7 am and will be concluded at 6 pm, is part of a seven-phased Lok Sabha election, scheduled to end on June 1, with vote counting set for June 4.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The Google Doodle appeared exclusively in Bangladesh.

As Bangladesh celebrates Independence Day, Google on March 26 marked the day with a special doodle illustrating the country’s national flag, a red circle on a green background.

“The public holiday marks the moment Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence on this day in 1971,” Google said in a blogpost describing the Doodle which appeared exclusively in Bangladesh.

Many wear traditional green and red sarees and kurtas to show pride in their national colours, all while exploring streets decorated with the Bangladeshi flag — like the one in today’s artwork. The green represents progress, youth, and the nation’s lush landscape, while the red symbolises sacrifice, rebirth, and the rising sun, it added.

Bangladesh commemorates its Liberation movement, which began with the declaration of Independence by the Mukti Bahini (Freedom Fighters) led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 26, 1971.

On the eve of Independence Day, a few select citizens and organisations are presented the Independence Day Award that celebrates their extraordinary achievements. The annual award recognises scientists, athletes, writers, musicians, artists, and more. The following day, grand events like parades, concerts, and rallies occur all throughout the country, Google said.