Airtel digitally recreates Kapil Dev’s world cup innings using 5G, showcases holograms

Airtel has recreated parts of former Cricketer Kapil Dev’s 175 number innings against Zimbabwe at the 1983 worldcup semi-final using graphics and 5G.    

The innings, played at Tunbridge Wells on June 18, 1983, does not have any video footage, owing to a strike by the BBC cameramen back in the day.   

Airtel said that it has utilised immersive video technologies over its high-speed 5G test network, along with also creating the atmosphere prevalent in the stadium back then. The 5 minute promotional video was uploaded to YouTube on Thursday.   

“With speeds of over 1 Gbps and latency of under 20 ms, more than 50 concurrent users enjoyed a highly personalised 4K video experience of the match on 5G smartphones, with real-time access to multiple camera angles, 360-degree in-stadia view, shot analysis and stats,” Airtel said in a statement.  

The video was showcased to a select audience of 50, who also had access to other features, showcasing what the future of cinema could probably look like.   

Additionally, Kapil Dev interacted with the audience via a holographic real-time portrayal on screen. The Avatar, built using 5G, walked viewers through the key moments of his innings.   

“The gigabit speeds and millisecond latency of 5G will transform the way we consume entertainment,” said Randeep Sekhon, CTO, Bharti Airtel.   

The 5G holograms will help users to transport virtual avatars to any location, which will act as a game changer for meetings and conferences.   

The demonstration was conducted at Manesar, Gurgaon at Airtel’s Network Experience Center. The company utilised Ericsson 5G radio using the 3500 MHz test spectrum.   

The 5G rollout by the government is expected to start later this year, with the auctions likely to occur sometime before June.