The India men’s cricket team’s tour of New Zealand 2026 is set to bring together some of the most recognisable voices in cricket broadcasting. With Team India preparing for a six-week tour across T20Is, ODIs and Tests, broadcasters have assembled an experienced commentary panel featuring former international cricketers and established presenters.
Harsha Bhogle, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar and headline the coverage, while former India players Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur will also feature on Sony Sports Network’s Extraaa Innings panel. The line-up combines Indian cricket expertise with insights from former New Zealand players.
Sony Sports Network has announced a 10-member Extraaa Innings panel for India’s tour of New Zealand.
- Ravi Shastri
- Sunil Gavaskar
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Ravichandran Ashwin
- Shardul Thakur
- Ajay Jadeja
- Venkatesh Prasad
- Ian Smith
- Simon Doull
- Harsha Bhogle
The panel brings together former players who have represented India and New Zealand at the highest level, alongside experienced broadcaster Harsha Bhogle. Their analysis is expected to cover tactical decisions, player match-ups, conditions and key moments throughout the tour.
Garima Bhardwaj and Vimal Kumar will be the presenters for Sony Sports Network’s coverage.
Sky Sport will provide coverage in New Zealand, with its white-ball commentary team featuring several familiar names from international cricket.
- Ian Smith
- Ravi Shastri
- Stephen Fleming
- Simon Doull
- Katey Martin
- Ross Taylor
- Tim Southee
- Scott Styris
- Shane Bond
Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming will be part of the commentary team for the T20Is and ODIs. Ross Taylor and Tim Southee add recent international playing experience, while Ian Smith and Simon Doull bring years of broadcasting expertise.
Former New Zealand women’s wicketkeeper Katey Martin also joins the team, offering a perspective shaped by her international career.
The commentary line-up changes for the red-ball leg of the series, with an emphasis on Test cricket experience.
- Ian Smith
- Simon Doull
- Sunil Gavaskar
- Katey Martin
- Harsha Bhogle
- Scott Styris
Gavaskar and Bhogle will contribute to the Test coverage, bringing their experience and knowledge of the longer format. The panel will assess batting technique, bowling spells, session-by-session momentum and the tactical decisions that often define Test matches.
Laura McGoldrick will serve as the presenter for Sky Sport’s coverage.
One of the notable features of the tour’s broadcast arrangements is the availability of Hindi commentary across the entire series through Sky Sport’s partnership with Sony Pictures Networks India.
Ajay Jadeja will lead the Hindi commentary for the white-ball matches, while Sunil Gavaskar will lead the coverage during the Test series. Mumbai Indians pacer Shardul Thakur is also part of the Hindi commentary offering.
The arrangement gives Hindi-speaking viewers in New Zealand and other available broadcast markets an additional way to follow the action.
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