In a delightful moment that has taken the internet by storm, cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar was seen sharing a playful interaction with the Indian Premier League’s (IPL) newest mascot, a robot dog named Champak, at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. This heartwarming scene unfolded on Thursday evening, just before the high-octane clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing IPL 2023 season.
The IPL introduced this innovative four-legged robot earlier this season, engaging fans by hosting an online poll to name the mechanical marvel. The name Champak emerged as the clear winner, resonating deeply with Indian audiences due to its connection to the beloved character Champaklal Gada, the wise grandfather from the popular Hindi comedy series Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah. Social media erupted with memes and comments, with fans joking that the TV grandpa must be beaming with pride over his high-tech namesake.
In the viral video shared by the IPL’s social media team, the 75-year-old Gavaskar, fondly known as Sunny G, can be seen laughing and playing with Champak as the robot dog leaps and darts around with agility. The IPL captioned the clip, ‘Looks like Sunny G has found a new best friend!’ and fans couldn’t agree more, flooding the comments with heart emojis and affectionate messages for the legendary batsman.
Champak is no ordinary mascot; it is built on a cutting-edge robotic framework inspired by advanced research models like those developed by Boston Dynamics. Capable of walking, trotting, turning, jumping, and even balancing on its hind legs, this robot dog is equipped with a head-mounted camera that provides unique live footage from the field’s boundary edges and team dugouts. Beyond its playful antics, Champak serves practical roles during matches—it carries the coin to the center for the toss and has been spotted delivering drinks and towels to umpires during breaks, adding a futuristic flair to the IPL experience.
Gavaskar, a stalwart of Indian cricket with 10,122 Test runs to his name and the first batter to cross the 10,000-run milestone in the format, is no stranger to the IPL spotlight. As a respected commentator and analyst, his presence in the stadium often evokes nostalgia among fans. This lighthearted moment with Champak, however, showcases a different side of the Little Master, blending the charm of cricket’s golden era with the technological advancements of today.
As the IPL continues to innovate—both on and off the field—such moments remind us of the sport’s ability to unite generations and bridge tradition with modernity. Whether it’s a thrilling match or a charming interaction like this one, the IPL never fails to captivate. So, what do you think of Sunny G and Champak’s newfound friendship? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned for more exciting updates from the tournament!