India-born Nadella to head Microsoft; attributes rise to cricket

India-born Satya Nadella was named as the new CEO of $78 billion tech giant Microsoft and he attributed his leadership capabilities to playing cricket.

46-year-old Nadella, who takes over as the third CEO of the Redmond-based firm, is the first Indian to head the world's largest software firm in its 38-year history, ending months of speculation as to who would succeed the retiring Steve Balmer.

Nadella, along with Google's Sundar Pichai, were the contenders for the top job.

A cricket enthusiast, Hyderabad-born Nadella, who had joined Microsoft in 1992, previously served as the Executive Vice President of Cloud and Enterprise Group.

John Thompson, who is currently lead independent director, will succeed Microsoft founder Bill Gates as Chairman.

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Gates will don a new hat of technology adviser and retain a seat on the board, the company said in a statement.

"As Satya Nadella becomes the third CEO of Microsoft, he brings a relentless drive for innovation and a spirit of collaboration to this new role," Microsoft said in a statement, announcing Nadella's appointment.

Reacting to his appointment, Nadella said, "Microsoft is one of those rare companies to have truly revolutionized the world through technology, and I couldn't be more honoured to have been chosen to lead the company."

In an email to employees on first day as CEO, Nadella paraphrased a quote from Oscar Wilde - "We need to believe in the impossible and remove the improbable".

"We are the only ones who can harness who can harness power of software and deliver it through devices and services that truly empowers every individual and every organisation," he said.

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Praising Nadella as a "proven leader" with hard-core engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together, Gates said, "During this time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella."

Nadella takes on as the CEO at a time when the company is facing a slow erosion of its PC-centric Windows and Office businesses and is looking at refuelling its mobile ambitions with the takeover of Finnish handset maker Nokia.

Before joining Microsoft. Nadella was a member of the technology staff at Sun Microsystems.

Nadella attributed his rise to the top to cricket.

"I think playiong cricket taught me more about working in teams and leadership that has stayed with me throughout my career," he said shortly after was named for the top post.

"Satya is a proven leader with hard-core engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth," Gates said.

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With his appointment, Nadella joins a select group of India-origin executives steering top global companies.

Among the prominent Indians at the helm include PepsiCo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Indra Nooyi, MasterCard president and chief executive officer Ajay Banga and Deutsche Bank Co-CEO Anshu Jain.

Nadella earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from MangaloreUniversity, a master's degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

Growing up, playing cricket was his "passion" and he played it competitively as a member of his school’s team.

He also enjoys watching Test cricket, "which is the longest form of any sport in the world," with games that can go for days and days. "I love it," he says. "There’s so many subplots in it, it’s like reading a Russian novel."

He has been an executive in some of the company's fastest-growing and most-profitable businesses, including Office and its server and tools business.

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Nadella said he is both "honored and humbled" to succeed Gates and Ballmer as the third CEO of Microsoft.

"Our industry does not respect tradition - it only respects innovation," he said.

Nadella, who finds relaxation by reading poetry, in all forms and by poets who are both Indian and American, said the opportunity ahead for Microsoft is vast.

"The opportunity ahead for Microsoft is vast, but to seize it, we must focus clearly, move faster and continue to transform. A big part of my job is to accelerate our ability to bring innovative products to our customers more quickly.

"Our industry does not respect tradition - it only respects innovation," he said.

Talking about the Nadella, Ballmer said Nadella is the "right leader" for Microsoft.

"Having worked with him for more than 20 years, I know that Satya is the right leader at the right time for Microsoft," Ballmer added.

Ballmer was originally handed the reins in 2000 when Gates stepped aside after 25 years.