In a last-minute twist, cricket enthusiasts in the United Kingdom can breathe a sigh of relief as TNT Sports clinched the television broadcasting rights for England’s tour of India, commencing on January 25. The five-Test series promises intense cricketing action, kicking off at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad and concluding in the scenic setting of Dharamsala.
The eleventh-hour entry of TNT Sports into the broadcasting arena ensures that fans back home can catch every moment of the Indian cricket team’s home matches. This development also marks the beginning of a five-year agreement, with TNT Sports exclusively broadcasting all international home games played by the Men in Blue in the UK.
Previously, Sky Sports UK held the mantle as the designated broadcaster for England’s away matches from 1990 until 2017. However, TNT Sports, buoyed by its successful broadcast of the last two Ashes tours and its role as the official broadcaster for the West Indies series, presented a compelling case to become the go-to channel for England’s away games.
The upcoming red-ball series is not just a one-off deal but sets the stage for a broader partnership between TNT Sports and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The broadcaster aims to establish a studio back home due to foreseeable logistical challenges, relying on on-ground coverage provided by the BCCI’s official licensed distributor, Pitch Agency.
This strategic move by TNT Sports is not only a relief for cricket fans but also aligns with the ongoing World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, adding a layer of significance to the clashes between two cricketing powerhouses.
As the anticipation builds for the series, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to five years of exclusive coverage, ensuring they won’t miss a single moment of the Men in Blue’s international home games in the UK.