Powering Formula 1 and Cricket – The Digital Velocity Behind the Magic

Passion, precision and performance

Hyper-connected ecosystems don’t just break silos – they unlock extraordinary moments

Behind every pulse-racing moment in sport – be it a bowled-out batter, a dramatic last-lap overtake, or a photo finish at the wire – lies a silent force at work – the digital infrastructure. Today, sport is not just played on the turf or track. It’s played on high-speed networks, powered by data, and brought to life flawlessly through real-time digital infrastructure.

It’s this very spirit of precision that inspired the launch of Tata Communications Vayu – our revolutionary next-gen cloud fabric which promises to cut cloud costs and complexity and is future ready for the AI world. That day was a double first for me—not just the launch of Tata Communications Vayu, but also the opportunity to interview one of my favourite cricketing legend, Anil Kumble. Known for his unorthodox spin, laser focus, and unshakable resilience, Anil holds the record for the most “caught and bowled” dismissals in cricket history. He was a player who defined determination, a leader who inspired generations, and a bowler whose records stand as a testament to his sheer brilliance.

Sports & Technology – The winning team

In addition to being a champion cricketer, a strategist, thinker, coach, administrator, and a true ambassador of the sport, Anil is also a founder of a company whose vision is to revolutionise the sporting experience by engaging the entire sports ecosystem through smart products and technologies.

Technology is no longer behind the scenes. It has become one of the most defining forces that is shaping modern sports.

From transforming the way fans engage with live action, to enhancing athlete performance, to enabling data driven split-second decision making – data, connectivity, and digital infrastructure have become as much a part of the game as talent and strategy. Whether it’s a stadium packed with 80,000 fans or a living room on the other side of the world, sports today are more immersive, more instant, and more globally connected than ever before.

Uncomplicate and innovate with digital fabric

Today,  Formula 1® race can be streamed live in real-time to fans across 180+ countries, with multilingual commentary, interactive data overlays, and immersive 360-degree replays. A cricket match can reach millions simultaneously, enriched by predictive analytics and AI-powered insights – all enabled by seamless, intelligent connectivity. And none of this happens by accident.

What we’re witnessing is the emergence of a truly connected Digital Fabric – one that connects not just hardware and systems, but seamlessly brings together people, experiences, and possibilities across continents. This convergence of sport and technology came into sharp focus for me during my session with Anil Kumble. His legacy is built on strategy, adaptability, and unwavering focus – qualities that define the spirit of elite athletes. But what struck me most was how naturally these traits align with the demands of digital infrastructure. Whether it’s a googly that outwits a batter or a media platform delivering high-definitions flawless live coverage to millions, success ultimately comes down to precision, timing, and resilience.

At Tata Communications, our relationship with sport isn’t about being a name on a banner – it’s about being the invisible force that drives the action behind the scenes and brings world class experiences to life. 4 out of 5 times when fans tune into live action – from the roar of Formula 1, the thrill of MotoGP to the precision of cricket and the endurance of sailing – we’re the digital engine that powers that moment. Our networks move the magic in milliseconds. Since 2012, we’ve supported Formula 1 by seamlessly transmitting over 100 video feeds and 250 audio channels from 24 race locations to their Media & Technology Centre in the UK. That’s a real-time broadcast delivered to over 500 million fans, across 180+ countries, every single race. And that’s not all, our remote production solution empowers F1 to travel with reduced freight, contributing to F1’s ambition to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2030. This is innovation at global scale—proof of how our cutting-edge infrastructure and relentless focus on precision place Tata Communications at the forefront of digital leadership, not just in sport, but in every high-performance industry we serve.

Global businesses through the lens of sports

No longer confined to the stadiums and race-tracks, the technology innovations in the sporting world are redefining enterprise technology across industries. The capabilities that power global live sports broadcasts – real-time data transmission, ultra-low latency, and seamless scalability – are now being applied to mission-critical business environments. Whether it’s a bank processing millions of secure transactions, an e-commerce platform navigating peak consumer traffic, a smart city monitoring live surveillance feeds, or a healthcare provider managing petabytes of imaging data – the demands remain the same – speed, security and scale. And the solution lies in building an intelligent, resilient digital backbone.

At the core of this transformation lies a seamless Digital Fabric – connecting fans to the sport, enterprises to customers, and people to moments that matter the most. Just like in sport, success in business today is measured in milliseconds. Our seamless Digital Fabric connects enterprises to outcomes, enabling intelligent, resilient systems that adapt to every play, pivot, and performance peak.

Find out more about Tata Communications Digital Fabric here.