Cricket is a national obsession in India, with the country virtually coming to a complete standstill during big matches, for instance those with India playing or during the Indian Premier League.
While millions of people watch live cricket matches on their televisions at home, those who are out and about or on the move will also want to be able to keep up with the latest action. Cricket live streams have therefore become increasingly popular over the past few years. As mobile technology keeps developing at a rapid rate in India, these streams are becoming easier to use, making it more straightforward than ever before for fans to make sure they do not miss a ball.
So how can people watch cricket live streams in India? Let’s take a look at all the best options.
Disney+ Hotstar
While Disney might be thought of as a company producing family favourite films first and foremost, this is now an entertainment behemoth in many countries, including in India.
Streaming service Disney+ Hotstar is also one of the best ways for sports fans to watch cricket live streams in India these days as well. This is because the service has a deal with the International Cricket Council to show a wide variety of cricket competitions in the coming years.
The 2023 ICC World Test Championship Final will be available to watch live via Disney+ Hotstar, as will both the 2023 Cricket World Cup and the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Set to get under way in Australia shortly, the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will see India join other favourites like England and Pakistan in search of lifting the famous trophy next month. A separate broadcasting deal with the Asian Cricket Council means that both the 2022 Asia Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup will also be available to watch live on the Disney+ Hotstar service too.
Viacom18
When it comes to watching cricket live streams in India, Disney+ Hotstar is not the only option as some of the other broadcasting rights are held by rival brands, like Viacom18 for example.
This Indian media and entertainment joint venture currently holds the rights to show international cricket matches in Ireland, the West Indies, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. In addition, fans of the Abu Dhabi T10 League will be able to tune in to see all their favourite players in action during the competition via live cricket streams in India shown by Viacom18.
But the most important competition to mention when it comes to watching live cricket streams is the Indian Premier League, which attracts a massive amount of attention when it is played. While the broadcast television rights for the IPL are elsewhere, Viacom18 has the streaming rights so this is a must for anyone who wants to follow live streams of all the IPL matches.
Cricket Live Streams on Betting Sites and Apps
Away from streaming services such as Viacom18 and Disney+ Hotstar, another good way for sports fans to keep up with cricket live streams in India is via betting sites and apps.
Cricket betting keeps getting more and more popular, with fans of the sport checking out reviews of betting apps on sites such as BettingGuide.com to pick which brands to bet with.
Having a bet on the live cricket action is extremely popular these days, with more and more Indians deciding to try their luck at this pastime.
Cricket is well suited to betting for a wide variety of reasons, not least the fact that there are so many frequent pauses in the action, which can provide the ideal opportunity to place a wager.
Naturally, the break between innings is a chance for cricket lovers to have a bet, but live in-play cricket wagers can also be placed between overs during an innings, or even between each ball.
Watching live cricket streams on betting sites and apps is also a good way for people in India to follow all the action and to see whether or not their wager is going to be a winner.
Sony Pictures Sports Network
Another broadcasting company with some cricket live streaming rights in India is Sony Pictures Sports Network, which currently holds the Big Bash League among its repertoire.
Australia’s version of the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League is one of the world’s top T20 competitions and attracts world-leading players from every corner of the globe.
The CSA T20 Challenge is also on Sony Pictures Sports Network, though in the case of this competition the deal is a joint venture with Viacom18.
Sony Pictures Sports Network has the rights to stream the Lanka Premier League in India too.
Star Sports
International action may be elsewhere most of the time, but Star Sports has lots of cricket too.
Domestic matches such as those in the Ranji Trophy, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy can all be watched via Star Sports in India at the present time.
The Tamil Nadu Premier League is also part of the Star Sports stable in India as well, while other competitions like the Global T20 Canada are part of the company’s rights roster too.
Confusingly, while Star Sports has the rights to show the Indian Premier League to cricket lovers in India, their part of the package is just for television, rather than for digital.
Amazon Prime Video
Sports streams have been pursued by Amazon around the world, but at the moment the list of live cricket streams in India held by the company remains a relatively small one.
At the moment, cricket lovers in India only need Amazon Prime Video to watch international cricket in New Zealand, with the deal running between 2022 and 2026.
It does seem likely that more cricket live streams in India will be added to Amazon Prime Video. But this could be some time away, with other streaming services having more to offer right now.