MUMBAI: ESPN Star Sports (ESS) will telecast live all the three matches the India Pakistan hockey Test series in Hindi from 17 February.

Airtel has signed on as the title sponsor of the series titled Airtel Cup, while Maruti Suzuki has been roped in as the associate sponsor of the series.

Star Sports has signed Jagbir Singh as an expert commentator who will team up with Sunil Taneja to take the viewers through the action on the turf. ESPN Star Sports will be showcasing the Airtel Cup in Hindi as a continuation of its efforts towards increasing Hindi presence on its channels.

ESPN Software India Pvt. Ltd. managing director RC Venkateish said, "We are committed to the development of hockey and will continue in our efforts to accentuate the game to a new popularity level. It is heartening to note that our efforts are bearing fruit as more and more corporates are showing keen interest in India's national game."

ESPN Star Sports will telecast a 30-minute pre-match and a post match analysis show for the series. ESPN Star Sports' presenter Sujata Padhmanabhan will host the show along with Jagbir Singh.

The first two matches of the Airtel Cup will be played in Chandigarh while the third match will be played in Jallandhar.

The Airtel Cup in India will be followed by a three match series in Pakistan. The Pakistan leg will be played at Rawalpindi (22 February), Faisalabad (24 February) and Lahore (26 February).

Schedule of the Airtel Cup

17 February - Chandigarh - 18:30 hrs - Star Sports

18 February - Chandigarh - 18:30 hrs - Star Sports

20 February - Jallandhar - 14:30 hrs - Star Sports