Channel 4 to broadcast India vs England series on free-to-air TV

Starting with the opening Test from Chennai on Friday, ball by ball coverage of all four Tests will be shown live on Channel 4 and All 4

India host England for a four-Test series (Getty Images)

Channel 4 have secured the rights to broadcast the upcoming India vs England Test series on free-to-air television.

Starting with the opening Test from Chennai on Friday, ball by ball coverage of all four Tests will be shown live on Channel 4 and All 4. 

Highlights will also be made available on All 4.

This will mark the first time Test cricket has been broadcast live on terrestrial TV since the iconic 2005 Ashes series.

Channel 4’s Chief Content Officer Ian Katz said: “This is fantastic news for all cricket fans in the UK. It’s been a long 16-year wait for the return of live Test cricket to free to air television but it couldn’t have come at a better time.

“What better antidote to the lockdown blues than an England Test series in sunny India.”

Channel 4’s Head of Sport Pete Andrews added: “We’re delighted to be showing live Test cricket on Channel 4 again and given the recent performances of both sides this series is poised to be a cracker. 

"We’re absolutely thrilled to have struck this deal with Star Sports.”

The series begins in Chennai on Friday before the second Test starts at the same venue on 13 February.

The teams then head to Ahmedabad for back-to-back matches on 24 February and 4 March.

England head into the series fresh from a 2-0 win Sri Lanka while the hosts are buoyed after a historic win in Australia.