Tim Cook makes a special appearance in the IPL

It was a special day for the Green Park Stadium, Kanpur yesterday for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it hosted its first Indian Premier League game. And, secondly, it also had a special guest who visited the venue and enjoyed the game which the home team won pretty comprehensively.

The Green Park stadium welcomed Apple CEO Tim Cook who is currently on an India tour.

“It is incredible. I am already hooked on to it,” said Cook, during a brief chat aired by the host broadcaster during the KKR innings.

Cook came to watch the game in sweltering heat but he was not complaining much.

“It is tough to watch the game in this heat but I have never felt anything like this before. I see how important cricket is, how important sport is.

“India is hugely important. It is a great marketplace. India has an incredible future ahead. I am very optimistic,” added the CEO as IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla stood beside him.

“It is a great achievement for us that he has come all the way to watch the game. We are using his (Apple’s) technology even in our domestic cricket,” said Shukla.

Cook, who is touring India, came to Kanpur on Thursday on Shukla’s invitation.

He was seen enjoying the game while sitting alongside Shukla and Sanjay Dutt, who was recently released from prison.

The Apple CEO is on a four-day visit to India, where he is expected to meet a host of political leaders, industrialists and celebrities. The 55-year-old Cook landed in Mumbai and paid a visit to the famous Siddhivinayak Temple.

On Wednesday, he was invited to a private dinner organised by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who is also the owner of Kolkata Knight Riders. A lot of excitement was evident at the Green Park Stadium which hosted an IPL game for the first time. It was also the first time that a game there was played under lights.