Sony Sports will broadcast all three four-day matches between India A and New Zealand A as part of India’s preparations for the upcoming Test series in New Zealand. The Dhruv Jurel-led side will play the matches across October and November, giving several established Indian players an opportunity to prepare for the international assignments ahead.
The matches will take place from October 24 to 27, October 31 to November 3, and November 7 to 10. According to reports, Sony Sports will not only telecast the games but will also handle their production.
The decision marks a significant development for India A cricket, as such matches on tours of New Zealand have not traditionally received television coverage. The presence of several prominent Indian players is understood to have influenced the broadcaster’s decision.
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Match Timings and Venues Confirmed
All three matches will begin at 3:30 AM IST, making them early-morning viewing for Indian cricket fans. The first and third games will be played at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, while Hagley Oval in Christchurch will host the second match.
The confirmed schedule is as follows:
| Match | Dates | Venue | Start time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st four-day match | October 24–27 | Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln | 3:30 AM |
| 2nd four-day match | October 31–November 3 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 3:30 AM |
| 3rd four-day match | November 7–10 | Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln | 3:30 AM |
Sony Sports has confirmed that all three fixtures will be shown live, offering fans an opportunity to follow the development of India’s emerging and established players ahead of the Test series.
Star Players Set to Feature
The squad includes several players with considerable international experience. Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar and Sai Sudharsan are among those expected to feature under Jurel’s leadership.
The matches will provide valuable preparation for players who could be involved in India’s senior team’s upcoming assignments. The four-day format will also allow the squad to adapt to the demands of red-ball cricket and conditions in New Zealand.
The tour is particularly important for batters and bowlers looking to build rhythm before the senior team’s two-Test series. Playing competitive matches in similar conditions can help players assess their techniques, manage workloads and gain confidence ahead of international cricket.
The team is scheduled to depart from Bengaluru for New Zealand on October 18.
Sony Sports to Cover India’s Full New Zealand Tour
Sony Sports, which holds India’s broadcasting rights for cricket in New Zealand, will also show the senior team’s matches during the tour.
Its coverage will include five T20 Internationals, five One-Day Internationals and two Test matches, alongside the three India A fixtures.
The schedule means that some days could feature both an India A match and a senior international game. Both will be broadcast live, giving viewers extensive coverage of India’s cricketing commitments in New Zealand.
The decision to televise the India A matches adds further visibility to the team’s preparations and gives fans a chance to watch players who could feature prominently in India’s future plans.
Experienced Coaching Staff to Travel with India A
The Centre of Excellence (CoE) staff, which generally oversees India A assignments, will manage the team’s preparations during the New Zealand tour. Members of the support staff who travelled with the Indian team for the Asian Games are also set to be involved.
Hrishikesh Kanitkar will serve as batting coach, while former India fast bowler Laxmipathy Balaji will oversee the pace bowlers. Sunil Joshi will take charge of spin bowling, with physiotherapist Thulasi and trainer Harrsha also travelling with the squad.
It remains unclear whether VVS Laxman, who served as head coach of India’s Asian Games team, will accompany the side to New Zealand.
With a strong group of players and an experienced support staff, the tour will be an important opportunity to prepare for the challenges of New Zealand conditions. Sony Sports’ decision to broadcast all three matches will allow fans to follow that preparation closely before the senior team’s international series begins.