As the cricketing world turns its gaze toward the desert heat of the UAE, the stage is set for the 17th edition of the Asia Cup T20 – a tournament that promises not just high-octane contests, but also a unique broadcasting experience. Kicking off this Tuesday, the competition will see traditional giants India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka square off with rising forces like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong in a bid for continental dominance.
India, led by the ever-composed and innovative Suryakumar Yadav, begins its campaign on Wednesday against hosts UAE. With the ICC T20 World Cup looming next year, the Asia Cup offers an early look at how Asian teams are shaping up ahead of the global showdown.
But this Asia Cup won’t just be about what happens between the wickets.
A Galaxy of Legends in the Commentary Box
Sony Sports Network has assembled an all-star multilingual commentary panel that reads like a who’s who of Asian cricketing royalty. Viewers will be treated to insights from legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Virender Sehwag, and former bowling coach Bharat Arun, bringing decades of cricketing wisdom and firsthand experience to living rooms across the subcontinent.
Speaking about the tournament, Gavaskar remarked, “As Team India steps onto the Asia Cup stage under the dynamic leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, we witness a blend of tenacity and experience steering the side. This squad symbolises the future of Indian cricket – diverse, versatile, and combative.”
Ravi Shastri, never one to hold back his enthusiasm, echoed Gavaskar’s sentiments. “With Surya leading from the front and Shubman Gill mastering the art of youthful leadership as vice-captain, this Indian squad exemplifies the perfect mix of experience and potential,” he said. “The Asia Cup 2025 will be the crucible where their mettle is tested, and I believe this team, under Surya’s calm and aggressive captaincy, will rise to the occasion and set new benchmarks.”
A Truly Pan-Indian Broadcast
Recognizing the regional passion that fuels cricket fandom in India, Sony Sports has rolled out an expansive, multilingual commentary plan. The Hindi panel boasts iconic names like Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, Ajay Jadeja, Abhishek Nayar, and Saba Karim, offering fans not just expert analysis but also nostalgic recall and sharp tactical dissection.
The Tamil panel will see Bharat Arun join forces with WV Raman, while the Telugu contingent will feature stalwarts like Venkatapathy Raju and Venugopal Rao. Such an inclusive approach underscores Sony’s vision for cricket broadcasting to bring the game closer to fans in every language and corner of the country.
“As the Asia Cup returns, Sony Sports Network reimagines cricket broadcasting,” said Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer at Sony. And indeed, with such depth in its on-air talent, Sony is not just delivering coverage – it’s crafting an experience.
Star-Studded World Feed
For the global cricket audience, the world feed will be no less glittering. Sanjay Manjrekar, Robin Uthappa, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Russel Arnold, Simon Doull, and Bazid Khan will bring a rich, multicultural lens to the tournament, reflecting the true spirit of the Asia Cup – competitive yet collaborative.
India’s X-Factor Squad
On the field, India’s squad carries the weight of expectations but also the promise of something new. The explosive presence of Jasprit Bumrah, the all-round brilliance of Hardik Pandya, and the fresh energy from the likes of Tilak Varma, Harshit Rana, and Abhishek Sharma form a unit that could very well define the next era of Indian T20 cricket.
As the UAE sun blazes overhead, so too will the passion of millions of fans tuning in across languages, regions, and borders guided by the voices of cricket’s greatest storytellers.
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