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IPL 2026: Abhishek Sharma brings his A Game to Hyderabad with another century for SRH  At 25, Abhishek Sharma is already in his eighth season at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).Having been traded to the franchise after just one season with Delhi Capitals in 2018, the southpaw from Punjab has acquired an imposing aura in orange, garnering the unconditional affection of a quintessentially easy-going Hyderabadi crowd with his daring stroke-play.On Tuesday night, Abhishek’s stature at SRH rose further as his second Indian Premier League (IPL) hundred helped the side hammer his former franchise by 47 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.By hitting an unbeaten 135 off 68 balls to follow a knock of 59 against Chennai Super Kings, he has reinforced the sense that his lean patch for India at the T20 World Cup was an anomaly.“Obviously, when he comes to Hyderabad, when he comes to this stadium, and when he’s in the team’s midst, it’s his safe space. He’s done so well here over the years and he has that confidence that he’s the man,” SRH bowling coach Varun Aaron said.“But you can’t negate the amount of work James Franklin (assistant coach) and J. Hariesh (batting coach) have put in. They’ve had long chats with him. Today, he said that the plan was very simple — just to bat till the last over. Our coaching staff, especially the batting staff, has put in a lot of work with him and that’s what we’re seeing at the moment.”Abhishek is well on his way to having his best IPL season yet.His 323 runs in seven matches have come at an excellent average of 53.83 and an equally exemplary strike rate of 215.33. He has also had two ducks, but he is clearly deserving of extra leeway.“When you play a high-risk, high-reward game, sometimes it doesn’t work out and you have to give a player like Abhishek that leeway,” said Aaron.Published on Apr 22, 2026  #IPL #Abhishek #Sharma #brings #Game #Hyderabad #century #SRH

IPL 2026: Abhishek Sharma brings his A Game to Hyderabad with another century for SRH

At 25, Abhishek Sharma is already in his eighth season at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Having been traded to the franchise after just one season with Delhi Capitals in 2018, the southpaw from Punjab has acquired an imposing aura in orange, garnering the unconditional affection of a quintessentially easy-going Hyderabadi crowd with his daring stroke-play.

On Tuesday night, Abhishek’s stature at SRH rose further as his second Indian Premier League (IPL) hundred helped the side hammer his former franchise by 47 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

By hitting an unbeaten 135 off 68 balls to follow a knock of 59 against Chennai Super Kings, he has reinforced the sense that his lean patch for India at the T20 World Cup was an anomaly.

“Obviously, when he comes to Hyderabad, when he comes to this stadium, and when he’s in the team’s midst, it’s his safe space. He’s done so well here over the years and he has that confidence that he’s the man,” SRH bowling coach Varun Aaron said.

“But you can’t negate the amount of work James Franklin (assistant coach) and J. Hariesh (batting coach) have put in. They’ve had long chats with him. Today, he said that the plan was very simple — just to bat till the last over. Our coaching staff, especially the batting staff, has put in a lot of work with him and that’s what we’re seeing at the moment.”

Abhishek is well on his way to having his best IPL season yet.

His 323 runs in seven matches have come at an excellent average of 53.83 and an equally exemplary strike rate of 215.33. He has also had two ducks, but he is clearly deserving of extra leeway.

“When you play a high-risk, high-reward game, sometimes it doesn’t work out and you have to give a player like Abhishek that leeway,” said Aaron.

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#IPL #Abhishek #Sharma #brings #Game #Hyderabad #century #SRH

At 25, Abhishek Sharma is already in his eighth season at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Having been traded to the franchise after just one season with Delhi Capitals in 2018, the southpaw from Punjab has acquired an imposing aura in orange, garnering the unconditional affection of a quintessentially easy-going Hyderabadi crowd with his daring stroke-play.

On Tuesday night, Abhishek’s stature at SRH rose further as his second Indian Premier League (IPL) hundred helped the side hammer his former franchise by 47 runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

By hitting an unbeaten 135 off 68 balls to follow a knock of 59 against Chennai Super Kings, he has reinforced the sense that his lean patch for India at the T20 World Cup was an anomaly.

“Obviously, when he comes to Hyderabad, when he comes to this stadium, and when he’s in the team’s midst, it’s his safe space. He’s done so well here over the years and he has that confidence that he’s the man,” SRH bowling coach Varun Aaron said.

“But you can’t negate the amount of work James Franklin (assistant coach) and J. Hariesh (batting coach) have put in. They’ve had long chats with him. Today, he said that the plan was very simple — just to bat till the last over. Our coaching staff, especially the batting staff, has put in a lot of work with him and that’s what we’re seeing at the moment.”

Abhishek is well on his way to having his best IPL season yet.

His 323 runs in seven matches have come at an excellent average of 53.83 and an equally exemplary strike rate of 215.33. He has also had two ducks, but he is clearly deserving of extra leeway.

“When you play a high-risk, high-reward game, sometimes it doesn’t work out and you have to give a player like Abhishek that leeway,” said Aaron.

Published on Apr 22, 2026

Source link
#IPL #Abhishek #Sharma #brings #Game #Hyderabad #century #SRH

Deadspin | Victor Wembanyama sustains concussion in Spurs’ Game 2 loss  Apr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images   San Antonio star center Victor Wembanyama was concussed during Game 2 of the Spurs’ first-round playoff series with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, his coach confirmed following the contest.  “I just know he has a concussion and he’s in the protocol and we’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “You know, it’s tough. That protocol is the protocol, so we’ll just follow it, as everyone else does, and plan accordingly.”  Wembanyama was forced from Game 2 after hitting his face on the floor early in the second quarter. The Spurs later announced that Wembanyama had entered concussion protocol and would not return to the game before it was confirmed after the contest — a 106-103 Blazers win that leveled the series — that a concussion had been sustained.  Wembanyama hit his face on the floor at near-full speed after being knocked off his feet during a drive to the basket at the 8:57 mark of the second period, with the contact leaving him dazed enough to struggle standing up before jogging off the floor to the locker room.  San Antonio trailed 34-32 at the time, and Wembanyama had amassed five points, four rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in 11:41 of court time when he was injured. The game was tied 57-57 by halftime.   The Spurs have had plenty of success without their star this season. Wembanyama missed 18 games this season with various injuries, with San Antonio going 12-6 in those games.  However, Wembanyama’s absence for Game 3 and potentially beyond would loom large in a series that suddenly swung to Portland’s advantage after the Blazers wrested away the home-court edge on Tuesday.  Wembanyama is scheduled to receive further testing on Wednesday but must remain inactive for a minimum of 24 hours and can’t resume full participation before 48 hours, per NBA concussion guidelines.  The teams won’t play again until Friday, when Game 3 will be contested in Portland.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #sustains #concussion #Spurs #Game #lossApr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

San Antonio star center Victor Wembanyama was concussed during Game 2 of the Spurs’ first-round playoff series with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, his coach confirmed following the contest.

“I just know he has a concussion and he’s in the protocol and we’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “You know, it’s tough. That protocol is the protocol, so we’ll just follow it, as everyone else does, and plan accordingly.”

Wembanyama was forced from Game 2 after hitting his face on the floor early in the second quarter. The Spurs later announced that Wembanyama had entered concussion protocol and would not return to the game before it was confirmed after the contest — a 106-103 Blazers win that leveled the series — that a concussion had been sustained.

Wembanyama hit his face on the floor at near-full speed after being knocked off his feet during a drive to the basket at the 8:57 mark of the second period, with the contact leaving him dazed enough to struggle standing up before jogging off the floor to the locker room.


San Antonio trailed 34-32 at the time, and Wembanyama had amassed five points, four rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in 11:41 of court time when he was injured. The game was tied 57-57 by halftime.

The Spurs have had plenty of success without their star this season. Wembanyama missed 18 games this season with various injuries, with San Antonio going 12-6 in those games.

However, Wembanyama’s absence for Game 3 and potentially beyond would loom large in a series that suddenly swung to Portland’s advantage after the Blazers wrested away the home-court edge on Tuesday.

Wembanyama is scheduled to receive further testing on Wednesday but must remain inactive for a minimum of 24 hours and can’t resume full participation before 48 hours, per NBA concussion guidelines.

The teams won’t play again until Friday, when Game 3 will be contested in Portland.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #sustains #concussion #Spurs #Game #loss">Deadspin | Victor Wembanyama sustains concussion in Spurs’ Game 2 loss  Apr 21, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) drives to the basket past San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images   San Antonio star center Victor Wembanyama was concussed during Game 2 of the Spurs’ first-round playoff series with the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, his coach confirmed following the contest.  “I just know he has a concussion and he’s in the protocol and we’ll obviously take the proper and appropriate steps,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “You know, it’s tough. That protocol is the protocol, so we’ll just follow it, as everyone else does, and plan accordingly.”  Wembanyama was forced from Game 2 after hitting his face on the floor early in the second quarter. The Spurs later announced that Wembanyama had entered concussion protocol and would not return to the game before it was confirmed after the contest — a 106-103 Blazers win that leveled the series — that a concussion had been sustained.  Wembanyama hit his face on the floor at near-full speed after being knocked off his feet during a drive to the basket at the 8:57 mark of the second period, with the contact leaving him dazed enough to struggle standing up before jogging off the floor to the locker room.  San Antonio trailed 34-32 at the time, and Wembanyama had amassed five points, four rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in 11:41 of court time when he was injured. The game was tied 57-57 by halftime.   The Spurs have had plenty of success without their star this season. Wembanyama missed 18 games this season with various injuries, with San Antonio going 12-6 in those games.  However, Wembanyama’s absence for Game 3 and potentially beyond would loom large in a series that suddenly swung to Portland’s advantage after the Blazers wrested away the home-court edge on Tuesday.  Wembanyama is scheduled to receive further testing on Wednesday but must remain inactive for a minimum of 24 hours and can’t resume full participation before 48 hours, per NBA concussion guidelines.  The teams won’t play again until Friday, when Game 3 will be contested in Portland.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Victor #Wembanyama #sustains #concussion #Spurs #Game #loss

The FIFA World Cup, nearly a century since its inception, has remained the crown jewel of international men’s football.

Despite India never playing in the tournament, the spectacle has always taken centre stage among football fans. But 2026 carries a different writing on the wall.

The quadrennial carnival does not have a broadcaster. No TV channel, no streaming company has put its foot forward to take it up. Why is that so?

“Football viewership in India has been on the decline for some time now. If you look at the Premier League, its valuation has fallen from $145 million in 2013-14 to $60 million in the latest deal,” an industry expert tells  Sportstar.

Sony Sports acquired the commercial rights for the FIFA World Cup 2014, 2018, and Euro 2016 for around $90 million in 2013, which would be almost double the value today, adjusted for inflation.

Eight years later, Reliance picked up the 2022 World Cup rights for $60 million.

FIFA had offered rights for the next two World Cups as a package to the Indian market for $100 million last year. However, a lack of interest saw the global football body reconsider the valuation to $35 million.

Even then, interest did not emerge, exposing the broken economics of World Cup broadcasting in this part of the world.

“In India, the picture appears more nuanced than a simple lack of takers. Broadcasters are likely weighing a combination of structural and commercial considerations,” says Rohit Potphode, Managing Partner – Sports, Gaming, eSports & Live Experiences, Dentsu India.

Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India.

Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

FIFA World Cup 2026 not available to fans in India yet — What’s going wrong?  The FIFA World Cup, nearly a century since its inception, has remained the crown jewel of international men’s football.Despite India never playing in the tournament, the spectacle has always taken centre stage among football fans. But 2026 carries a different writing on the wall.The quadrennial carnival does not have a broadcaster. No TV channel, no streaming company has put its foot forward to take it up. Why is that so?“Football viewership in India has been on the decline for some time now. If you look at the Premier League, its valuation has fallen from 5 million in 2013-14 to  million in the latest deal,” an industry expert tells        Sportstar.Sony Sports acquired the commercial rights for the FIFA World Cup 2014, 2018, and Euro 2016 for around  million in 2013, which would be almost double the value today, adjusted for inflation.Eight years later, Reliance picked up the 2022 World Cup rights for  million.FIFA had offered rights for the next two World Cups as a package to the Indian market for 0 million last year. However, a lack of interest saw the global football body reconsider the valuation to  million.Even then, interest did not emerge, exposing the broken economics of World Cup broadcasting in this part of the world.“In India, the picture appears more nuanced than a simple lack of takers. Broadcasters are likely weighing a combination of structural and commercial considerations,” says Rohit Potphode, Managing Partner – Sports, Gaming, eSports & Live Experiences, Dentsu India. Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Special Arrangement
                            

                            Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Special Arrangement
                                                    Dentsu is the commercial partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Japan, which was also among the top viewers of the tournament in 2022.“Japan is significantly different from India in terms of audience appetite, advertisers, and overall media ecosystem.”“One significant factor is match timing; fixtures scheduled at late-night or early-morning hours for Indian audiences can materially impact viewership peaks, which in turn affects advertising inventory and revenue potential. Even marquee events can struggle to deliver optimal returns when they fall outside prime viewing windows,” he adds.The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being played in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, placing most matches outside prime Indian viewing hours.Of the 104 games in the World Cup this time, only 14 begin before midnight. In comparison, Qatar 2022 had 44 of its 64 matches before midnight, while Russia 2018 had 63.Profitability the only priority“The business scenario in sports in India has shifted primarily to profitability,” a source from one of the broadcasters says.“Subscription is a limited option in this country, despite the appetite being there. In the West, football is mostly behind paywalls. You cannot do that in India.”Sky Sports charges a subscription fee of about £22 per month to show the Premier League in the UK, while FOX Sports, the World Cup broadcaster in the US, sells its FOX One + ESPN Bundle for  per month.The FIFA World Cup 2022 was streamed on JioCinema and Sports18HD, with the former offering it for free and the latter charging Rs. 12 for the channel.The result: India saw one of the steepest individual market drops, losing 87 million linear viewers in four years. The audience moved to digital, which was free, not away from football. Meanwhile, JioStar reportedly lost millions with the free-to-air service.In general, though, football viewership in the country has declined. The Indian Super League, the top flight of men’s football, has seen its broadcast rights valuation fall by 97 per cent in the last year.World Cup football has followed the same trend: The 2022 edition had every match worth Rs. 6.94 crore. Four years later, that value has fallen to Rs. 1.56 crore per match — a 77.5 per cent drop. Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    “The lack of advertising opportunities in football is another issue. While commercial partners can have ad slots after every over or dismissal in cricket, or maybe every set in tennis, in football, it’s largely restricted to pre-match, half-time and full-time, with limited additional breaks,” another individual from an Indian broadcaster says.Potphode adds further insight. “The advertising market remains highly value-conscious, with brands increasingly seeking measurable and consistent returns across both television and digital platforms.“With a crowded sports calendar and the continued rise of on-demand consumption, rights holders and broadcasters may be taking a more calibrated approach, evaluating not just scale, but the quality and timing of audience engagement.”Will there be a solution?FIFA is expected to hold negotiations with leading Indian broadcasters — JioStar, FanCode, Sony Sports and ZEE Entertainment — in search of a last-ditch solution. It is unlikely for DAZN to enter the conversation, while Netflix and YouTube have chosen not to comment.If all options fail, the World Cup could return to Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster, after 28 years. Under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, sporting events of national importance must be shared with the broadcaster. Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                The Hindu Photo Library
                            

                            Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                The Hindu Photo Library
                                                    That could offer a lifeline, with marquee matches — likely the knockouts and the final — broadcast on Doordarshan irrespective of the primary rights holder.Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. A return to public broadcasting could yet make the World Cup viable again in India.Published on Apr 22, 2026  #FIFA #World #Cup #fans #India #Whats #wrong

Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Dentsu is the commercial partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Japan, which was also among the top viewers of the tournament in 2022.

“Japan is significantly different from India in terms of audience appetite, advertisers, and overall media ecosystem.”

“One significant factor is match timing; fixtures scheduled at late-night or early-morning hours for Indian audiences can materially impact viewership peaks, which in turn affects advertising inventory and revenue potential. Even marquee events can struggle to deliver optimal returns when they fall outside prime viewing windows,” he adds.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being played in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, placing most matches outside prime Indian viewing hours.

Of the 104 games in the World Cup this time, only 14 begin before midnight. In comparison, Qatar 2022 had 44 of its 64 matches before midnight, while Russia 2018 had 63.

Profitability the only priority

“The business scenario in sports in India has shifted primarily to profitability,” a source from one of the broadcasters says.

“Subscription is a limited option in this country, despite the appetite being there. In the West, football is mostly behind paywalls. You cannot do that in India.”

Sky Sports charges a subscription fee of about £22 per month to show the Premier League in the UK, while FOX Sports, the World Cup broadcaster in the US, sells its FOX One + ESPN Bundle for $40 per month.

visualization

The FIFA World Cup 2022 was streamed on JioCinema and Sports18HD, with the former offering it for free and the latter charging Rs. 12 for the channel.

The result: India saw one of the steepest individual market drops, losing 87 million linear viewers in four years. The audience moved to digital, which was free, not away from football. Meanwhile, JioStar reportedly lost millions with the free-to-air service.

In general, though, football viewership in the country has declined. The Indian Super League, the top flight of men’s football, has seen its broadcast rights valuation fall by 97 per cent in the last year.

World Cup football has followed the same trend: The 2022 edition had every match worth Rs. 6.94 crore. Four years later, that value has fallen to Rs. 1.56 crore per match — a 77.5 per cent drop.

Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television.

Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

FIFA World Cup 2026 not available to fans in India yet — What’s going wrong?  The FIFA World Cup, nearly a century since its inception, has remained the crown jewel of international men’s football.Despite India never playing in the tournament, the spectacle has always taken centre stage among football fans. But 2026 carries a different writing on the wall.The quadrennial carnival does not have a broadcaster. No TV channel, no streaming company has put its foot forward to take it up. Why is that so?“Football viewership in India has been on the decline for some time now. If you look at the Premier League, its valuation has fallen from 5 million in 2013-14 to  million in the latest deal,” an industry expert tells        Sportstar.Sony Sports acquired the commercial rights for the FIFA World Cup 2014, 2018, and Euro 2016 for around  million in 2013, which would be almost double the value today, adjusted for inflation.Eight years later, Reliance picked up the 2022 World Cup rights for  million.FIFA had offered rights for the next two World Cups as a package to the Indian market for 0 million last year. However, a lack of interest saw the global football body reconsider the valuation to  million.Even then, interest did not emerge, exposing the broken economics of World Cup broadcasting in this part of the world.“In India, the picture appears more nuanced than a simple lack of takers. Broadcasters are likely weighing a combination of structural and commercial considerations,” says Rohit Potphode, Managing Partner – Sports, Gaming, eSports & Live Experiences, Dentsu India. Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Special Arrangement
                            

                            Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Special Arrangement
                                                    Dentsu is the commercial partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Japan, which was also among the top viewers of the tournament in 2022.“Japan is significantly different from India in terms of audience appetite, advertisers, and overall media ecosystem.”“One significant factor is match timing; fixtures scheduled at late-night or early-morning hours for Indian audiences can materially impact viewership peaks, which in turn affects advertising inventory and revenue potential. Even marquee events can struggle to deliver optimal returns when they fall outside prime viewing windows,” he adds.The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being played in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, placing most matches outside prime Indian viewing hours.Of the 104 games in the World Cup this time, only 14 begin before midnight. In comparison, Qatar 2022 had 44 of its 64 matches before midnight, while Russia 2018 had 63.Profitability the only priority“The business scenario in sports in India has shifted primarily to profitability,” a source from one of the broadcasters says.“Subscription is a limited option in this country, despite the appetite being there. In the West, football is mostly behind paywalls. You cannot do that in India.”Sky Sports charges a subscription fee of about £22 per month to show the Premier League in the UK, while FOX Sports, the World Cup broadcaster in the US, sells its FOX One + ESPN Bundle for  per month.The FIFA World Cup 2022 was streamed on JioCinema and Sports18HD, with the former offering it for free and the latter charging Rs. 12 for the channel.The result: India saw one of the steepest individual market drops, losing 87 million linear viewers in four years. The audience moved to digital, which was free, not away from football. Meanwhile, JioStar reportedly lost millions with the free-to-air service.In general, though, football viewership in the country has declined. The Indian Super League, the top flight of men’s football, has seen its broadcast rights valuation fall by 97 per cent in the last year.World Cup football has followed the same trend: The 2022 edition had every match worth Rs. 6.94 crore. Four years later, that value has fallen to Rs. 1.56 crore per match — a 77.5 per cent drop. Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    “The lack of advertising opportunities in football is another issue. While commercial partners can have ad slots after every over or dismissal in cricket, or maybe every set in tennis, in football, it’s largely restricted to pre-match, half-time and full-time, with limited additional breaks,” another individual from an Indian broadcaster says.Potphode adds further insight. “The advertising market remains highly value-conscious, with brands increasingly seeking measurable and consistent returns across both television and digital platforms.“With a crowded sports calendar and the continued rise of on-demand consumption, rights holders and broadcasters may be taking a more calibrated approach, evaluating not just scale, but the quality and timing of audience engagement.”Will there be a solution?FIFA is expected to hold negotiations with leading Indian broadcasters — JioStar, FanCode, Sony Sports and ZEE Entertainment — in search of a last-ditch solution. It is unlikely for DAZN to enter the conversation, while Netflix and YouTube have chosen not to comment.If all options fail, the World Cup could return to Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster, after 28 years. Under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, sporting events of national importance must be shared with the broadcaster. Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                The Hindu Photo Library
                            

                            Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                The Hindu Photo Library
                                                    That could offer a lifeline, with marquee matches — likely the knockouts and the final — broadcast on Doordarshan irrespective of the primary rights holder.Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. A return to public broadcasting could yet make the World Cup viable again in India.Published on Apr 22, 2026  #FIFA #World #Cup #fans #India #Whats #wrong

Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

“The lack of advertising opportunities in football is another issue. While commercial partners can have ad slots after every over or dismissal in cricket, or maybe every set in tennis, in football, it’s largely restricted to pre-match, half-time and full-time, with limited additional breaks,” another individual from an Indian broadcaster says.

Potphode adds further insight. “The advertising market remains highly value-conscious, with brands increasingly seeking measurable and consistent returns across both television and digital platforms.

“With a crowded sports calendar and the continued rise of on-demand consumption, rights holders and broadcasters may be taking a more calibrated approach, evaluating not just scale, but the quality and timing of audience engagement.”

Will there be a solution?

FIFA is expected to hold negotiations with leading Indian broadcasters — JioStar, FanCode, Sony Sports and ZEE Entertainment — in search of a last-ditch solution. It is unlikely for DAZN to enter the conversation, while Netflix and YouTube have chosen not to comment.

If all options fail, the World Cup could return to Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster, after 28 years. Under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, sporting events of national importance must be shared with the broadcaster.

Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights.

Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Library

FIFA World Cup 2026 not available to fans in India yet — What’s going wrong?  The FIFA World Cup, nearly a century since its inception, has remained the crown jewel of international men’s football.Despite India never playing in the tournament, the spectacle has always taken centre stage among football fans. But 2026 carries a different writing on the wall.The quadrennial carnival does not have a broadcaster. No TV channel, no streaming company has put its foot forward to take it up. Why is that so?“Football viewership in India has been on the decline for some time now. If you look at the Premier League, its valuation has fallen from 5 million in 2013-14 to  million in the latest deal,” an industry expert tells        Sportstar.Sony Sports acquired the commercial rights for the FIFA World Cup 2014, 2018, and Euro 2016 for around  million in 2013, which would be almost double the value today, adjusted for inflation.Eight years later, Reliance picked up the 2022 World Cup rights for  million.FIFA had offered rights for the next two World Cups as a package to the Indian market for 0 million last year. However, a lack of interest saw the global football body reconsider the valuation to  million.Even then, interest did not emerge, exposing the broken economics of World Cup broadcasting in this part of the world.“In India, the picture appears more nuanced than a simple lack of takers. Broadcasters are likely weighing a combination of structural and commercial considerations,” says Rohit Potphode, Managing Partner – Sports, Gaming, eSports & Live Experiences, Dentsu India. Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Special Arrangement
                            

                            Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Special Arrangement
                                                    Dentsu is the commercial partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Japan, which was also among the top viewers of the tournament in 2022.“Japan is significantly different from India in terms of audience appetite, advertisers, and overall media ecosystem.”“One significant factor is match timing; fixtures scheduled at late-night or early-morning hours for Indian audiences can materially impact viewership peaks, which in turn affects advertising inventory and revenue potential. Even marquee events can struggle to deliver optimal returns when they fall outside prime viewing windows,” he adds.The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being played in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, placing most matches outside prime Indian viewing hours.Of the 104 games in the World Cup this time, only 14 begin before midnight. In comparison, Qatar 2022 had 44 of its 64 matches before midnight, while Russia 2018 had 63.Profitability the only priority“The business scenario in sports in India has shifted primarily to profitability,” a source from one of the broadcasters says.“Subscription is a limited option in this country, despite the appetite being there. In the West, football is mostly behind paywalls. You cannot do that in India.”Sky Sports charges a subscription fee of about £22 per month to show the Premier League in the UK, while FOX Sports, the World Cup broadcaster in the US, sells its FOX One + ESPN Bundle for  per month.The FIFA World Cup 2022 was streamed on JioCinema and Sports18HD, with the former offering it for free and the latter charging Rs. 12 for the channel.The result: India saw one of the steepest individual market drops, losing 87 million linear viewers in four years. The audience moved to digital, which was free, not away from football. Meanwhile, JioStar reportedly lost millions with the free-to-air service.In general, though, football viewership in the country has declined. The Indian Super League, the top flight of men’s football, has seen its broadcast rights valuation fall by 97 per cent in the last year.World Cup football has followed the same trend: The 2022 edition had every match worth Rs. 6.94 crore. Four years later, that value has fallen to Rs. 1.56 crore per match — a 77.5 per cent drop. Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    “The lack of advertising opportunities in football is another issue. While commercial partners can have ad slots after every over or dismissal in cricket, or maybe every set in tennis, in football, it’s largely restricted to pre-match, half-time and full-time, with limited additional breaks,” another individual from an Indian broadcaster says.Potphode adds further insight. “The advertising market remains highly value-conscious, with brands increasingly seeking measurable and consistent returns across both television and digital platforms.“With a crowded sports calendar and the continued rise of on-demand consumption, rights holders and broadcasters may be taking a more calibrated approach, evaluating not just scale, but the quality and timing of audience engagement.”Will there be a solution?FIFA is expected to hold negotiations with leading Indian broadcasters — JioStar, FanCode, Sony Sports and ZEE Entertainment — in search of a last-ditch solution. It is unlikely for DAZN to enter the conversation, while Netflix and YouTube have chosen not to comment.If all options fail, the World Cup could return to Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster, after 28 years. Under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, sporting events of national importance must be shared with the broadcaster. Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                The Hindu Photo Library
                            

                            Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                The Hindu Photo Library
                                                    That could offer a lifeline, with marquee matches — likely the knockouts and the final — broadcast on Doordarshan irrespective of the primary rights holder.Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. A return to public broadcasting could yet make the World Cup viable again in India.Published on Apr 22, 2026  #FIFA #World #Cup #fans #India #Whats #wrong

Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Library

That could offer a lifeline, with marquee matches — likely the knockouts and the final — broadcast on Doordarshan irrespective of the primary rights holder.

Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. A return to public broadcasting could yet make the World Cup viable again in India.

Published on Apr 22, 2026

#FIFA #World #Cup #fans #India #Whats #wrong">FIFA World Cup 2026 not available to fans in India yet — What’s going wrong?  The FIFA World Cup, nearly a century since its inception, has remained the crown jewel of international men’s football.Despite India never playing in the tournament, the spectacle has always taken centre stage among football fans. But 2026 carries a different writing on the wall.The quadrennial carnival does not have a broadcaster. No TV channel, no streaming company has put its foot forward to take it up. Why is that so?“Football viewership in India has been on the decline for some time now. If you look at the Premier League, its valuation has fallen from 5 million in 2013-14 to  million in the latest deal,” an industry expert tells        Sportstar.Sony Sports acquired the commercial rights for the FIFA World Cup 2014, 2018, and Euro 2016 for around  million in 2013, which would be almost double the value today, adjusted for inflation.Eight years later, Reliance picked up the 2022 World Cup rights for  million.FIFA had offered rights for the next two World Cups as a package to the Indian market for 0 million last year. However, a lack of interest saw the global football body reconsider the valuation to  million.Even then, interest did not emerge, exposing the broken economics of World Cup broadcasting in this part of the world.“In India, the picture appears more nuanced than a simple lack of takers. Broadcasters are likely weighing a combination of structural and commercial considerations,” says Rohit Potphode, Managing Partner – Sports, Gaming, eSports & Live Experiences, Dentsu India. Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Special Arrangement
                            

                            Rohit Potphode discussed why the company went for broadcasting rights in Japan for FIFA World Cup 2026 and not in India.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Special Arrangement
                                                    Dentsu is the commercial partner for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Japan, which was also among the top viewers of the tournament in 2022.“Japan is significantly different from India in terms of audience appetite, advertisers, and overall media ecosystem.”“One significant factor is match timing; fixtures scheduled at late-night or early-morning hours for Indian audiences can materially impact viewership peaks, which in turn affects advertising inventory and revenue potential. Even marquee events can struggle to deliver optimal returns when they fall outside prime viewing windows,” he adds.The FIFA World Cup 2026 is being played in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, placing most matches outside prime Indian viewing hours.Of the 104 games in the World Cup this time, only 14 begin before midnight. In comparison, Qatar 2022 had 44 of its 64 matches before midnight, while Russia 2018 had 63.Profitability the only priority“The business scenario in sports in India has shifted primarily to profitability,” a source from one of the broadcasters says.“Subscription is a limited option in this country, despite the appetite being there. In the West, football is mostly behind paywalls. You cannot do that in India.”Sky Sports charges a subscription fee of about £22 per month to show the Premier League in the UK, while FOX Sports, the World Cup broadcaster in the US, sells its FOX One + ESPN Bundle for  per month.The FIFA World Cup 2022 was streamed on JioCinema and Sports18HD, with the former offering it for free and the latter charging Rs. 12 for the channel.The result: India saw one of the steepest individual market drops, losing 87 million linear viewers in four years. The audience moved to digital, which was free, not away from football. Meanwhile, JioStar reportedly lost millions with the free-to-air service.In general, though, football viewership in the country has declined. The Indian Super League, the top flight of men’s football, has seen its broadcast rights valuation fall by 97 per cent in the last year.World Cup football has followed the same trend: The 2022 edition had every match worth Rs. 6.94 crore. Four years later, that value has fallen to Rs. 1.56 crore per match — a 77.5 per cent drop. Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            Most fans in India watched the FIFA World Cup 2022 free of cost on JioCinema, not on linear television.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    “The lack of advertising opportunities in football is another issue. While commercial partners can have ad slots after every over or dismissal in cricket, or maybe every set in tennis, in football, it’s largely restricted to pre-match, half-time and full-time, with limited additional breaks,” another individual from an Indian broadcaster says.Potphode adds further insight. “The advertising market remains highly value-conscious, with brands increasingly seeking measurable and consistent returns across both television and digital platforms.“With a crowded sports calendar and the continued rise of on-demand consumption, rights holders and broadcasters may be taking a more calibrated approach, evaluating not just scale, but the quality and timing of audience engagement.”Will there be a solution?FIFA is expected to hold negotiations with leading Indian broadcasters — JioStar, FanCode, Sony Sports and ZEE Entertainment — in search of a last-ditch solution. It is unlikely for DAZN to enter the conversation, while Netflix and YouTube have chosen not to comment.If all options fail, the World Cup could return to Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster, after 28 years. Under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, sporting events of national importance must be shared with the broadcaster. Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                The Hindu Photo Library
                            

                            Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                The Hindu Photo Library
                                                    That could offer a lifeline, with marquee matches — likely the knockouts and the final — broadcast on Doordarshan irrespective of the primary rights holder.Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan’s parent company, had made a profit of Rs. 3.5 crore from the 1998 rights. A return to public broadcasting could yet make the World Cup viable again in India.Published on Apr 22, 2026  #FIFA #World #Cup #fans #India #Whats #wrong

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