In a lively display of holiday spirit, Google recently hosted its first company-wide “ugly sweater” contest, with CEO Sundar Pichai joining in on the fun. On Christmas Day, Pichai shared images from the event on Instagram, showing off his uniquely themed sweater that resonated with his Indian heritage.

The contest, which took place the previous week, encouraged Googlers to show off their creativity through vibrant knitwear adorned with a variety of festive designs. The judging panel consisted of Google’s AI assistant Gemini, who evaluated the imaginative submissions, with everything from intricate mosaics to traditional Christmas motifs.

Pichai’s choice stood out for its personal touch; donned a black sweater emblazoned with cricket bats, a cricket ball and Christmas trees, celebrating India’s deep-rooted passion for cricket.

In his Instagram post, Pichai wrote: “We closed out 2024 with our first Google-wide Ugly Sweater Holiday Contest last week. Gemini was the judge, and I have to say, it tastes good 🙂 Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone for the end of year fun.”

Social media users were quick to praise Pichai’s jumper, with comments highlighting their appreciation for the cricketing design. The event not only encouraged light-hearted competition, but also fostered camaraderie among employees during the holiday season.

Born in Chennai, Sundar Pichai has often expressed his love for cricket, once confessing that he dreamed of a professional career in the sport. The tradition of the ugly sweater, which has its roots in the 1950s, has transformed from a quirky concept to a beloved holiday custom in recent years.

Google’s innovative take on this holiday tradition brought a festive atmosphere to the workplace, with Pichai effortlessly combining cricket, Christmas and personal style to celebrate the end of the year.