MUMBAI: In a bid to woo different regional markets, Zee Sports announced that it would offer simultaneous Hindi, Tamil and Bengali audio feed for the India Sri Lanka Test Series. This will be in addition to the regular English commentary.
This feed in the three regional languages will start from the second test on 10 December, 2005. The channel says that this is the first time in India that cricket will have commentary in any language besides English and Hindi. The special feed in regional languages will be available to viewers on Zee's Dish TV DTH platform.
Former batsman and off spinner Kirti Azad, former Indian fast bowler Vivek Razdan and right hand batsman Gursharan Singh will be the commentators in Hindi for India- Sri Lanka Test Series. Former Indian cricketer Saradindu Mukherjee and Bengal First Class player Raju Mukherjee will be the commentators for the Bengali Feed.
Former batsman W V Raman and former Cricketer Thirunavakarasu Kumaran Kenny as he is known to close friends and television presenter Bosskey will be the commentator for Tamil feed. W V Raman will be the commentator from third test onwards.
Zee Sports business head Himanshu Mody said, The acquisition of India Sri Lanka Test series rights is an assertion of our commitment to provide exciting cricket to viewers in India. With the launch of simultaneous regional audio feed in Hindi, Tamil and Bengali, we will provide even greater enjoyment to the fans of the game, in the two remaining test matches.
"There is a great demand among viewers for, commentary in regional languages. The localisation will greatly help in increasing the understanding and involvement for cricket and will help us in opening new markets."
Cricket Café presents the pre and post analysis of the match.