Sony Sports Network Reveals Broadcast Plans for India Tour of New Zealand

Sony Sports Network Unveils Comprehensive Coverage for New Zealand Tour

Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV have officially unveiled their extensive broadcast plans for the upcoming India tour of New Zealand, which kicks off on 22 October. The action-packed schedule features five T20Is, five one-day internationals, and two Test matches running through 1 December 2026, alongside scheduled telecasts of India A games.

Multi-Language Broadcast and Expert Panel

To engage audiences across regions, the sony sports network will provide coverage in five distinct languages: English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Viewers will also see the return of the familiar Extraaa Innings feature alongside a digital series titled Sunny Side Up hosted by Sunil Gavaskar.

The heavyweight broadcast lineup brings together prominent former cricketers and analysts. The panel features figures such as Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ajinkya Rahane, Stephen Fleming, Tim Southee, Simon Doull, Shane Bond, Ian Smith, Harsha Bhogle, and several regional language experts across the formats.

Campaign Theme and Team Expectations

The campaign introduces a Diwali-inspired theme with the message ‘Dono side zakhmi’, highlighting that both squads carry scars from past encounters and are eager to settle scores. Rajesh Kaul, chief revenue officer and business head for sports and international at Sony Pictures Networks India, noted that the opening T20I would set the stage for intense competition.

Former cricketers have weighed in on the demanding nature of playing in New Zealand conditions. Ravi Shastri emphasized that reputation alone will not secure wins for visitors, while Ajinkya Rahane pointed out that the Test matches remain crucial for World Test Championship aspirations. Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted the ongoing challenge of adapting constantly across varying formats.

Sources: Indian Television Dot Com, Yahoo Sports, Cricbuzz.