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Star Sports have officially announced a star-studded commentary and analysis panel on Tuesday, June 10, ahead of the much-awaited five-match Test series between England and India, beginning June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.
New Test era for India begins under Shubman Gill
This prestigious bilateral series will not only mark the start of a fresh chapter in India-England red-ball rivalry but also signal the beginning of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. In keeping with the significance of the occasion, Sony Sports has roped in a formidable lineup of legendary cricketers and top-tier broadcasters who promise to deliver in-depth analysis, on-point tactical breakdowns, and real-time insights.
The upcoming England tour represents a pivotal moment for Indian cricket as it enters a new era under the leadership of Shubman Gill. With the retirement of two of India’s most iconic Test players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, this series will be India’s first true test of transition in the longest format. Gill, the newly appointed red-ball captain, will be under the spotlight as he attempts to guide a relatively young side in challenging English conditions. The five-Test series against Ben Stokes’ England not only carries the traditional intensity of the England-India rivalry but also bears the weight of setting the tone for the next WTC cycle.
Legendary voices set to enrich the broadcast experience
In anticipation of the high-octane series, Sony Sports Network has curated a broadcast team that blends experience, credibility, and excitement. The inclusion of cricketing icons such as Navjot Singh Sidhu, known for his vibrant style and deep cricketing acumen, and Varun Aaron, whose recent commentary stints have earned praise for combining modern insight with engaging storytelling.
The panel is featuring international legends like Nasser Hussain, who provides a sharp English perspective enriched by his years as England captain and seasoned commentator. With such prominent voices at the helm, fans can expect a comprehensive viewing experience, complete with technical breakdowns, strategic dissections, historical context, and engaging banter. Sony’s effort to elevate the quality of cricket broadcasting mirrors the significance of the series itself, as two of the game’s historic rivals prepare to write the next chapter in their red-ball legacy.
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Star Sports unveils elite commentary panel for England vs India Test series
1. English Commentary Panel
The English panel features a powerful mix of Indian and English greats.
- Ravi Shastri – Former India head coach brings coaching and playing experience.
- Navjot Singh Sidhu – Known for his flamboyant style and bold views.
- Dinesh Karthik – Modern voice with recent playing experience.
- Anil Kumble – Former captain and coach, offers technical depth.
- Nasser Hussain – Former England captain, sharp analyst.
- Michael Atherton – Insightful, well-respected former England skipper.
- Stuart Broad – Recently retired, England’s second-highest wicket-taker.
- Sanjay Manjrekar – Balanced analysis with experience in both roles.
- Abhinav Mukund – Adds recent Indian domestic and Test perspective.
2. Hindi Commentary Panel
Star Sports brings a Hindi panel full of former India internationals and expert broadcasters.
- Navjot Singh Sidhu – Adds colour and punch to the Hindi feed.
- Anil Kumble – Brings gravitas and deep understanding of the game.
- Sanjay Manjrekar – Bilingual presence ensures smooth crossover.
- Parthiv Patel – Offers fresh, sharp takes with keeper’s perspective.
- Sanjay Bangar – Former batting coach and all-rounder insights.
- Varun Aaron – Fast bowler’s lens on tactics and field placements.
- Deep Dasgupta – Former keeper-batter with crisp analysis.
- Anant Tyagi & Padamjeet Sehrawat – Popular presenters guiding the panel.
3. Tamil Commentary Panel
The Tamil panel combines veterans and popular voices from South India.
- Abhinav Mukund – Tamil Nadu opener and Test player with experience.
- S Badrinath – Steady voice with a calm demeanour and analysis.
- Ramesh – Ex-India player known for technical assessments.
- Anirudha Srikanth – Adds a youthful and animated perspective.
- Yo Mahesh – Former U-19 and TN pacer, gives bowling insights.
- R Sridhar – Former fielding coach, renowned for tactical awareness.
- Nanee & Muthu – Provide humour and regional flavour.
4. Telugu Commentary Panel
The Telugu commentary team highlights Andhra and Telangana cricket roots.
- MSK Prasad – Former selector and Andhra Pradesh wicketkeeper.
- Hanuma Vihari – Recently active Indian cricketer with solid Test credentials.
- R Sridhar – Doubles up from Tamil and Telugu feeds with coaching wisdom.
- T Suman, Ashish Reddy, Kalyan Krishna – Local voices with IPL and domestic experience.
- NC Kaushik – Presenter managing on-air engagement and flow.
5. Kannada Commentary Panel
A strong Karnataka presence dominates the Kannada panel.
- Vijay Bharadwaj – Ex-India player with analytical depth.
- Sunil Joshi – Former left-arm spinner and selector.
- Vinay Kumar – Karnataka pace icon with Test experience.
- Srinivas Murthy, Pavan Deshpande, Akhil Balachandra, Bharat Chipli – Active voices with commentary and playing experience.
- Kiran Srinivas – Brings a media-savvy approach as lead presenter.
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