The International Cricket Council and JioStar, the media conglomerate that holds the multi-billion broadcast rights for cricket in India, have in a joint statement quashed recent reports of them pulling out of the deal. “These reports do not reflect the position of either organisation,” the two organisations said in the statement.
“The existing agreement between the ICC and JioStar remains fully in force, and JioStar continues as the ICC’s official media rights partner in India. Any suggestion that JioStar has withdrawn from the agreement is incorrect.”
The statement further stated that JioStar is “fully committed to honour its contractual obligations in letter and spirit” and that both remain focussed on providing “uninterrupted, world-class coverage of upcoming ICC events to fans across India, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup”.
The speculation had sprung in the days running up to the aforementioned tournament, which will be hosted by India from February 7 to March 8 next year. “Preparations for these events are progressing exactly as planned, and there is no impact on viewers, advertisers, or industry partners. ICC and JioStar, as long-term commercial partners, maintain regular communication on operational, commercial and strategic matters focused on the role the partnership can play in growing the sport,” the statement concluded.
The ICC and JioStar had entered into the current four-and-a-half-year agreement, valued at USD 3 billion, in 2024. The deal includes both TV and digital rights.
While India are the primary hosts for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Pakistan will be playing all their matches in Sri Lanka. Three matches will be played on the opening day on December 7 – Pakistan will face the Netherlands in Colombo, after which Bangladesh play the West Indies at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The last match on the opening day of the tournament will be between India and the United States at the Wankhede Stadium.
