New Zealand’s home international cricket is returning to Sky with a significantly expanded broadcast operation for 2026/27, combining a heavyweight commentary roster with Hindi-language coverage and a technology package built around India’s upcoming tour.
Ravi Shastri and Ian Smith are among the headline names in a group that also includes Stephen Fleming, Sunil Gavaskar, Harsha Bhogle, Simon Doull, Katey Martin, Ross Taylor, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Shane Bond, Lea Tahuhu and Russel Arnold. Laura McGoldrick will present coverage across a season featuring home internationals involving the Black Caps and White Ferns.
The new package accompanies Sky’s return as the home broadcaster of New Zealand internationals after regaining the rights from TVNZ. Coverage will be available live and on demand across Sky Sport and Sky Sport Now.
India tour anchors Sky’s cricket return
India’s visit provides the centrepiece of the home summer, with the Black Caps scheduled to play five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests between October 22 and December 1.
Shastri will work across the white-ball leg, while Gavaskar and Bhogle will join the broadcast team for the Tests. Fleming, the former Black Caps Captain who was recently appointed England Test Coach, will feature during the T20I series.
Former New Zealand Cricketer and Commentator Ian Smith said in a Sky announcement, “It’s great to be back behind the microphone for Sky. You could hardly ask for a bigger stage to begin with than India. Whenever I’ve covered ICC tournaments, matches between New Zealand and India have carried a unique intensity and significance. I think fans are in for a very special summer.”
Former India Head Coach and Broadcaster Ravi Shastri said in a Sky announcement, “Having made my test debut in New Zealand against Smithy playing for the BLACKCAPS, New Zealand is a special place for me, and there’s enormous respect in India for the way New Zealand plays its cricket. To be here in the 100th year of the sporting relationship between our two countries makes this tour even more meaningful. It’s a terrific way to celebrate a rivalry built on respect.”
India will not be the only visiting team included in Sky’s returning home cricket portfolio. The White Ferns are due to host Bangladesh in December, before the Black Caps finish their home programme against Sri Lanka across January and February.
Sky builds coverage around expanded expert roster
Sky’s approach places former international players and established broadcasters across different parts of the schedule rather than limiting the lineup to the India series.
Smith, Shastri, Fleming, Doull, Martin, Taylor, Southee, Styris and Bond are set to feature during India’s white-ball matches, with Gavaskar and Bhogle added for the Tests. Martin, Southee, Styris, Bond and Tahuhu will then be involved when the White Ferns face Bangladesh.
Sky Head of Sport Content Gary Burchett said in a Sky announcement, “Cricket is back on Sky, and we’re treating its return as a significant moment. Our focus is on bringing fans closer to the players, the tactics, the pressure and the emotion, with some of the best cricket minds in the world providing insight along the way. We want our coverage to feel intelligent, contemporary and full of energy, with the game always at the heart of it.”
Hindi commentary added through Sony partnership
A separate component of the India coverage will see Sky introduce Hindi commentary across an entire cricket tour for the first time. Sky is partnering with Sony Pictures Networks India to make the Hindi feed available on Sky Sport Select throughout the T20I, ODI and Test series.
The arrangement will also see Shastri, Gavaskar and Bhogle contribute to Sky’s world feed.
Burchett added, “We want to bring the same depth and understanding to India’s players, supporters and cricket culture as we do to the BLACKCAPS. Offering Hindi commentary throughout the tour is part of that, helping more people across New Zealand feel connected to what will be a hugely significant series.”
Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head – Sports and International, Sony Pictures Networks India, said in a Sky announcement, “New Zealand is home to a large and growing Indian community, for whom cricket remains a powerful connection to India. With the Indian team touring New Zealand for one of the biggest cricketing contests of the season, it was important that fans could experience every match in a language that brings them closer to the action. Our partnership with Sky to offer Hindi commentary across the entire tour recognises the passion of this community and makes the coverage more familiar, inclusive and engaging.”
New technology expands India tour production
Sky is also upgrading the visual production for India’s visit, with Raptor Cam forming part of the broadcast set-up. The high-speed aerial system can move above and around the playing field to provide camera positions unavailable through conventional fixed equipment.
The production will additionally use Virtual Eye for real-time tracking, 3D graphics and analysis, supported by a 26-camera configuration.
With India providing the first major assignment after home internationals return to Sky, the broadcaster enters the 2026/27 season with changes spanning on-air talent, language options and production technology before its coverage continues through the White Ferns’ Bangladesh series and the Black Caps’ home contests against Sri Lanka.
