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Channel 4 confirms deal to show England cricket tour of India

Channel 4 confirms that it has acquired the rights to broadcast England's Test series in India starting this Friday.

Channel 4 has announced that it has secured the rights to show the England cricket team's Test series against India over the next two months.

The news means that Test cricket will be shown on free-to-air terrestrial TV in the UK for the first time since the 2005 Ashes series.

C4's coverage will include all four Tests, taking place in Chennai and Ahmedabad, starting with the first day of the first Test on Friday at 4am.

"This is fantastic news for all cricket fans in the UK," said Ian Katz, Channel 4's chief content officer. "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 intends to have its own studio commentary team, although the broadcaster will use the international feed for commentary of the action itself.

Following the Test series, England will also play five T20s and three ODIs in India, although the rights for those matches have yet to be determined.

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