Cricket is not just a sport in India; it’s a passion that unites a billion hearts. Whether it’s a bilateral series, ICC event, or the Indian Premier League (IPL), fans across India are always looking for the best ways to catch live action. With a mix of traditional TV and modern digital platforms, watching live cricket in India has never been easier.
TV Broadcast Options
- Star Sports Network
- Events Covered: ICC tournaments, IPL, India’s home matches, Asia Cup
- Languages: Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, and more
- Channels: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Star Sports Select HD, etc.
- HD & SD: Available in both formats
- Subscription: Usually included in DTH packages like Tata Play, Airtel Digital TV, and Dish TV
- Sony Sports Network
- Events Covered: England home matches, Australia tours, Pakistan Super League (PSL), and other international fixtures
- Languages: English, Hindi, Tamil
- Popular Channels: Sony Sports Ten 1, Ten 3, Ten 5
- DD Sports (Doordarshan)
- Coverage: India’s home matches (only on Free Dish or terrestrial networks)
- Free-to-air: Yes, especially for major tournaments and India matches
Online Streaming Options
- Disney+ Hotstar
- Events Covered: ICC events, IPL, India’s home matches
- Plans:
- Mobile: ₹149 for 3 months
- Super: ₹899/year
- Premium: ₹1499/year
- Features:
- HD and 4K streaming
- Multilingual commentary
- Stats and score overlays
- Live pause and rewind
- SonyLIV
- Events Covered: Matches from England, Australia, Sri Lanka, and more
- Subscription Plans:
- Mobile-only: ₹599/year
- Premium: ₹999/year
- Access: Available on web, Android, iOS, smart TVs
- JioCinema
- Events Covered: IPL 2024 was streamed here for free; may continue for 2025
- Highlights:
- Free access for Jio users
- Multiple camera angles
- Available in 4K
- Compatibility: Android TV, Smart TV, iOS, FireStick, web
- FanCode
- Covers: Non-mainstream tours, T10 leagues, Caribbean Premier League (CPL), and some ICC qualifiers
- Pricing: ₹99/month or ₹199/year
- Flexibility: Offers pay-per-match or pay-per-tournament options
- Airtel Xstream & Vi Movies & TV
- Bundled Services: Free or discounted access for Airtel and Vodafone-Idea subscribers
- Supports: Multiple channels including Star and Sony networks
- YouTube (Highlights & Delayed Matches)
- Many cricket boards upload match highlights or full matches after the live stream ends
- Free but not live
Mobile and App Viewing
Most streaming platforms support Android and iOS apps with smooth streaming on 4G/5G networks. Some operators like JioTV and Airtel Xstream also offer live TV streaming, including sports channels, to their prepaid/postpaid customers.
Language and Regional Feeds
Cricket in India is watched in multiple languages. Platforms like Hotstar and SonyLIV cater to regional audiences with live commentary in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and Kannada, enhancing the viewer experience.
Are There Free Options?
- Doordarshan: Select India matches broadcast free
- JioCinema: If IPL remains free, it’s a solid free option
- JioTV & Airtel Xstream: Some plans include live cricket access at no extra charge
- YouTube: Post-match highlights, interviews, and analysis from official broadcasters
Compatible Devices
Most platforms are available on:
- Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Android TV)
- Smartphones (Android, iOS)
- Tablets
- PC & Mac via browsers
- Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, and Apple TV