Millions of fans across India and the UK face the same frustration: fragmented rights across Sony LIV, Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and Star Sports make finding a single answer to “where can I watch?” surprisingly difficult. Here’s a verified breakdown of every legal option for the 2025 Test series and the March 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final.
India Streaming Platform: Sony LIV · UK TV Broadcaster: Sky Sports · UK Free-to-Air Option: Channel 4 · Streaming Pass Option: NOW TV · India TV Option: Tata Play
Quick snapshot
- Sony LIV holds India Tour of England rights (Times of India)
- Sky Sports lists live cricket dates for UK viewers (Sky Sports)
- Exact free availability per match for Channel 4 Tests
- T20 World Cup channel changes for 2026 cycle
- 1st Test starts 20-24 June 2025 at Headingley, Leeds
- T20 WC Semi scheduled for 5 March 2026 at Wankhede Stadium
- Five-match Test series runs through early August 2025
- T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final marks next major showdown
| Platform | Region | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Sony Sports Ten 1/5 | India | Test series TV broadcast |
| JioCinema / Disney+ Hotstar | India | Test series streaming |
| TNT Sports 1 | UK | Test match TV |
| Discovery+ | UK | Test streaming |
| Sky Sports | UK | T20 World Cup matches |
| NOW TV | UK | Streaming pass option |
| Star Sports / JioHotstar | India | T20 World Cup |
| ICC.tv | Select countries | Free T20 WC streams (not India/UK) |
Where can I see IND vs ENG live?
Cricket fans in India and the UK have distinct viewing options for the 2025 Test series and the T20 World Cup semi-final in 2026. The broadcasting landscape splits along regional lines, with different platforms holding rights in each territory.
TV options in India
- Sony Sports Ten 1 and Sony Sports Ten 5 carry the Test matches live on television, with coverage starting at 3:30 PM IST for each day’s play (Times of India).
- Star Sports Network holds rights for the T20 World Cup 2026, including the India vs England semi-final scheduled for 5 March 2026 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai (TechRadar).
- Tata Play subscribers can access the Star Sports channels through their TV package for T20 World Cup coverage.
Indian viewers need separate subscriptions: Sony platforms for the Test series, Star Sports for the T20 World Cup. No single package covers everything.
Streaming platforms
- JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar stream the India vs England Test matches online in India (Times of India).
- JioHotstar is also available as a streaming option alongside JioCinema for the Test series.
- Sony LIV provides the primary streaming platform for watching the India Tour of England on mobile and web.
Which TV channel is showing England vs India cricket?
The answer depends entirely on where you’re watching. The 2025 Test series and 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final are broadcast through separate deals in each major market.
Channels in India
- Sony Sports Ten 1 and Sony Sports Ten 5 handle all five Tests of the India Tour of England 2025, which forms the opening cycle of the World Test Championship 2025-27 (Times of India).
- Star Sports carries all T20 World Cup matches in India, with the semi-final against England on Star Sports HD and standard channels.
- Tata Play distributes both Sony Sports for Tests and Star Sports for T20s through its satellite and streaming packages.
Channels in UK
- TNT Sports 1 televises the India vs England Tests live in the UK, with the Second Test starting at 3:30am GMT (Evening Standard).
- Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports 2 handle T20 World Cup coverage, including the 2026 semi-final.
- Discovery+ streams the Tests online through its app and website for UK viewers (Evening Standard).
UK Test broadcasts start in the early morning hours (3:30-4am GMT), so recording or streaming catch-up is often more practical than watching live.
Can I watch IND vs ENG for free?
Free options exist but are limited and region-specific. The availability depends on which format you’re trying to watch.
Free TV options
- Channel 4 has secured free-to-air rights for some England Test cricket, making it the primary no-cost option for UK viewers wanting to watch without a subscription.
- For the T20 World Cup 2026, ICC.tv streams India vs England matches free in select countries—but not in India or the UK due to territorial rights restrictions (TechRadar).
- In Pakistan, the Tamasha platform offers free T20 World Cup coverage of India vs England matches.
Free streaming trials
- NOW TV passes can be taken on a short-term basis, offering UK cricket streaming without a long contract—but this is a paid pass, not free.
- Discovery+ occasionally offers trial periods, though these are promotional and not guaranteed.
Channel 4’s free-to-air Test rights appear limited to specific matches rather than the entire series. Check the match schedule before assuming free coverage.
Which channel is streaming live match?
Official streaming services have consolidated around major platforms in each region, with some overlap between TV and digital access.
Official streaming services
- Sony LIV streams all India Tour of England matches live in India through its website and mobile app.
- Sky Sports streams cricket through its website, with NOW offering an alternative streaming pass for viewers without a Sky subscription (Sky Sports).
- Discovery+ serves as the UK streaming home for Test cricket, accessible via browser or app (Evening Standard).
App-based streaming
- Disney+ Hotstar and JioHotstar apps stream Tests in India with mobile-first optimization.
- ICC.tv provides free streaming of T20 World Cup matches in countries where rights aren’t exclusive—using a VPN may help access these streams from restricted regions (TechRadar).
Can I watch cricket without Sky?
Yes, several alternatives exist for UK viewers who don’t want a Sky subscription.
Alternatives to Sky
- NOW TV sells day and month passes for Sky Sports channels, including cricket coverage, without requiring a contract.
- TNT Sports broadcasts are available through BT TV and some streaming platforms, not exclusively through Sky.
- Discovery+ streams Tests independently of Sky, making it the primary non-Sky option for UK cricket fans.
Free-to-air and other platforms
- Channel 4 covers selected England Tests on free-to-air television, offering a completely free alternative for those matches.
- In the US, Willow TV via Sling TV carries India vs England T20 World Cup matches (TechRadar).
- Prime Video streams T20 World Cup matches in Australia, including India vs England semi-final.
- In South Africa, SuperSport via DStv Premium carries the matches.
- New Zealand viewers access through Sky Sport with Sky Go streaming available.
What this means: UK viewers have viable Sky-free paths for both formats, though the options require mixing channels (TNT Sports, Discovery+, Channel 4) rather than one unified package.
Steps: How to watch India vs England on your preferred platform
Here’s a practical breakdown for setting up your cricket viewing across the most common platforms.
Watching in India on TV and streaming
- Check your TV package: Verify that your Tata Play or cable provider includes Sony Sports Ten 1 or Ten 5 for Test matches.
- Download Sony LIV: Install the Sony LIV app on your smartphone, tablet, or smart TV for streaming access.
- Log in or subscribe: Use your existing account or sign up for a subscription that covers cricket content.
- Set reminders for match times: Tests start at 3:30 PM IST daily during the series.
- For T20 World Cup: Switch to Star Sports channels or JioHotstar app when the tournament begins.
Watching in UK without Sky
- Check Channel 4 listings: Confirm whether Channel 4 is broadcasting the specific Test you want to watch.
- Sign up for NOW TV pass: Purchase a Sky Sports day or monthly pass at NOWTV.com.
- Download NOW app: Install on your device and log in with your pass credentials.
- For Tests on Discovery+: Subscribe to Discovery+ and access live streams through their app.
- Consider TNT Sports via BT: If you have BT TV, check whether cricket channels are included in your package.
Global viewing options for T20 World Cup 2026
The pattern across regions shows a clear split: ICC.tv serves as the free option in markets without exclusive rights deals, while rights-holders like Sky Sports and Star Sports dominate in India and the UK.
- US: Willow TV through Sling TV carries the match (TechRadar).
- Australia: Prime Video streams the semi-final (TechRadar).
- Pakistan: Free access through Tamasha platform (TechRadar).
- South Africa: SuperSport on DStv Premium (TechRadar).
- New Zealand: Sky Sport with Sky Go streaming (TechRadar).
The implication: India and UK fans pay for exclusive rights while viewers in non-rights markets get free access through ICC.tv—a stark contrast that highlights how geography determines viewing cost.
India vs England, along with every game of the 2026 T20 World Cup, is being streamed live and for free on ICC.tv in multiple countries.
TechRadar (Streaming guide outlet covering global cricket access)
2025 Test series schedule
The India Tour of England 2025 features five Tests spanning June through August, serving as the opening cycle of the World Test Championship 2025-27.
| Match | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | 20-24 June 2025 | Headingley, Leeds |
| 2nd Test | 2-6 July 2025 | Edgbaston, Birmingham |
| 3rd Test | 10-14 July 2025 | Lord’s, London |
| 4th Test | 23-27 July 2025 | Old Trafford, Manchester |
| 5th Test | 31 July-4 August 2025 | Kia Oval, London |
The pattern: every point in the 2025 series counts toward the new WTC cycle, giving both teams strong incentive to field full-strength XIs throughout.
India’s squad is led by Shubman Gill as Test captain, while England’s Ben Stokes captains the home side for this series.
The 2025 series marks the start of a new WTC cycle, making every point significant for both teams’ championship qualification prospects.
Related reading: England Women vs Pakistan Women Scorecard
While Sony LIV covers India and Sky Sports the UK, fans worldwide can refer to this region-specific streaming guide for tailored viewing options across different countries.
Frequently asked questions
What apps stream India vs England cricket?
India: Sony LIV, JioCinema, Disney+ Hotstar, JioHotstar. UK: Discovery+, NOW TV, Sky Sports app. T20 WC: Star Sports (India), Sky Sports (UK), ICC.tv (select countries), Willow TV (US).
Is Prime Video showing IND vs ENG?
Prime Video streams T20 World Cup matches in Australia, which includes the India vs England semi-final. In India and the UK, Prime Video does not hold cricket rights for these matches.
How to watch T20 World Cup matches?
For the 2026 semi-final: Star Sports in India, Sky Sports in UK, ICC.tv in non-exclusive countries, Willow TV in US, Prime Video in Australia, SuperSport in South Africa.
Are there radio options for Test series?
BBC Test Match Special provides ball-by-ball radio coverage for England home Tests, available globally through the BBC Sounds app. This is free and complements visual coverage.
What is the start time for live matches?
India Tests start at 3:30 PM IST. UK Tests start at 3:30 AM GMT (early morning). T20 World Cup matches have variable start times depending on the session and timezone.
Does Tata Play cover all formats?
Tata Play includes Sony Sports for Test coverage and Star Sports for T20 World Cup matches, covering both formats available during this cycle.
Is Channel 4 free for all Tests?
Channel 4 has free-to-air rights for some England Tests, but availability appears limited to specific matches rather than the entire series. Check individual match listings before the series.
For Indian viewers, the choice between Sony platforms for Tests and Star Sports for T20s is straightforward. UK fans have more flexibility with Sky, TNT Sports, Discovery+, and Channel 4 options—but should verify each match’s broadcaster before settling on a viewing plan.
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Oscar Friel covers business regulation, public policy, economics and institutional accountability for Civic Affairs.