IBM has introduced the first-ever AI-powered cricket activation through its flagship platform Watsonx, redefining how artificial intelligence interacts with the sport. The announcement came at Think Mumbai 2025, where the global tech major showcased a real-time demonstration of how AI-driven analytics can decode game strategies, improve player output, and elevate fan experience beyond traditional data interpretation. According to a Cricbuzz report, the activation marks a decisive integration of sports, data, and scalable AI, projecting how technology can now serve as an active participant in professional cricket. Using generative models and contextual learning, Watsonx evaluates patterns in player fitness, situational decisions, and environmental conditions — converting complex data into precise, conversational insights. IBM stated that the project’s objective is to demonstrate how enterprise-grade AI can transform both on-field decision-making and off-field engagement, creating a dynamic analytical ecosystem for franchises, coaches, and fans alike. Read also: Nepal, Oman Secure T20 World Cup 2026 Spots Through Asia Qualifier Fans embrace AI as data becomes the new pitch The initiative aligns with findings from the IBM Sports Survey Report 2025, which revealed that Indian fans are setting global benchmarks in digital sports consumption. Around 86% of respondents said they trust AI-generated sports content, while 91% actively use sports apps — among the highest adoption rates worldwide. Inside stadiums, 95% of attendees engage with live stats and commentary, and 97% rely on digital aids for real-time match updates. Furthermore, 93% of fans believe AI will define how they consume sports by 2027 — an indication that India’s sporting culture is rapidly merging emotion with intelligence. In continuation, one of India’s state cricket associations has partnered with IBM to deploy the Cricket IQ Analytics Platform, designed to assist coaches with actionable insights across tactical, physiological, and psychological dimensions. Discussions are also underway with an IPL franchise to extend the system into franchise-level operations. IBM’s cricket activation, powered by Watsonx, thus signifies the beginning of a data-literate sporting ecosystem, where AI becomes an invisible strategist — silently powering the game from behind the screens.