At the heart of the activation is the Cricket IQ Analytics Platform, built on IBM’s enterprise AI and data suite, Watsonx.
IBM has announced what it calls the world’s first AI-driven cricket activation, signaling a major step in the fusion of advanced analytics, generative AI, and sports innovation.
The initiative, launched at IBM Think Mumbai 2025, positions the technology giant at the forefront of cricket’s digital evolution as it explores partnerships with leading Indian cricket entities, including Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises.
At the heart of the activation is the Cricket IQ Analytics Platform, built on IBM’s enterprise AI and data suite, Watsonx. The platform is designed to generate real-time insights across a wide range of parameters, from player fitness and mental readiness to pitch conditions and in-game dynamics. IBM says the system can convert complex datasets into natural-language recommendations for coaches, analysts, and teams, offering intelligent decision support both during live play and in post-match assessments.
The company confirmed that it is already working with one of India’s leading state cricket associations to pilot the platform and is in advanced discussions with an IPL franchise for full-scale deployment ahead of the 2026 season. Beyond on-field applications, IBM says Cricket IQ will also power new fan engagement formats, combining analytics with immersive digital storytelling.
IBM’s AI systems have already powered revolutionary fan experiences across major global sporting properties, including Wimbledon, UFC, and Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1, each demonstrating the company’s ability to blend data intelligence with emotion-driven audience engagement. The Cricket IQ Analytics Platform extends this expertise to one of the world’s most passionately followed sports.
IBM also released findings from its Sports Survey Report 2025, which highlight India’s growing embrace of AI in sport. According to the report, 86 percent of Indian fans trust AI-generated sports content, 91 percent regularly use sports-related apps, and 93 percent believe artificial intelligence will shape how sports are consumed by 2027.
Analysts view IBM’s entry into cricket as a strategic play to capture a share of India’s booming sports technology market, valued at over $5 billion and expanding alongside the commercial growth of leagues like the IPL. Experts suggest that Cricket IQ could eventually extend beyond cricket to sports such as football, kabaddi, and hockey, where data-driven decision-making is rapidly gaining traction.
The platform integrates player performance metrics, mental conditioning data, and environmental variables to deliver actionable, plain-language insights, helping coaches make faster, smarter, and more confident decisions while reducing uncertainty and improving outcomes.
While IBM’s claim of a “world-first” AI cricket activation has drawn wide attention, industry observers note that its long-term success will hinge on adoption, data depth, and coach engagement. Still, the initiative reinforces IBM’s ambition to become a core technology partner in professional cricket’s next era of growth.
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