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Cricket fans have been angered by TNT Sports’ coverage of the first Test between India and England.
The broadcaster did not provide studio analysis of the first day of the series but has promised to increase its production for the next four Tests.
TNT had only last week secured the rights to the England tour and agreed to a five-year contract for exclusive rights to all India home series.
He has featured regularly in England’s away series in recent years, but was clearly not fully prepared for this week’s debut.
Fans furious at TNT Sports over coverage of Day 1 between India and England
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There were no guests in the studio and little analysis between sessions.
Presenter Matt Floyd could be heard but was not visible to the audience as he talked about the main issues during lunch and tea.
Fans were not impressed and expressed their disappointment at the coverage on social media.
One wrote: “No studio coverage on TNT Sport?! What a poor situation. No studio, no analysis, absolute joke.”
While another said: “TNT couldn’t find anyone in the studio? Poor guy!”
One fan took the opportunity to hit out at other broadcasters over what they see as ‘atrocious’ coverage.
The user wrote: “Sports coverage on @tntsports @SkySports @eurosport is becoming atrocious.
“Watching #INDvENG on TNT. No studio, no analysis, no guests. Just like #AFCON2023 on Sky. We’re paying through our nose for garbage!!”
Another user wondered why TNT were unable to put together a panel of pundits at the week’s notice they received after winning the rights.
He wrote: “What’s the deal with TNT having no studio presence? Just a host voicing the footage.
“It was always clear they were going to use streamed comms and in situ flash interviews, but wasn’t someone like Monty available to come in at 2 o’clock for make-up and briefing?”
TNT also used the host broadcaster’s coverage rather than its own commentators.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan are among the commentators in India.
Latest sports news:
Tom Hartley had a tough first day while Ben Stokes impressed with the bat for England
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TNT has since responded to the criticism, insisting that they will have a studio and pundits from the second Test in Visakhapatnam.
A spokesperson told me: “The proximity between the agreement to show England’s tour of India on TNT Sports and the start of the series means we are unable to implement our normal pre-production process for the Test ahead of Hyderabad.
“However, as always for the remainder of the series we will have an on-screen team who will be able to provide expert insight and analysis for fans watching TNT Sports.”
I bet Alastair Cook and Steven Finn are among the pundits who will be guests in the remaining matches.
Yashasvi Jaiswal starts Day 2 unbeaten on 76 as England toil hard against India
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England had to face difficulties on the first day on the Hyderabad pitch.
Captain Ben Stokes played a vital inning of 70 runs and made India all out from 137-6 to 246 runs.
But India made a brilliant start to their innings and ended the day at 119-1, with Yashasvi Jaiswal remaining unbeaten on 76 and dismissing debutant Tom Hartley.
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