Prime Video, with viewership from 99 percent of India’s pin codes, is gearing up for live cricket with India men’s tour of New Zealand beginning Nov 18 to 30.
The limited-over series will consist of three T20Is and an equal number of ODIs and will be available to watch live and exclusively on Prime Video.
The official rights holder will exclusively stream all men’s and women’s cricket matches played in New Zealand for the India market.
Fans will also get an additional ringside view into the storied rivalry between two giants of the short format game, as the streaming service announced on Thursday the launch of a six-part mini-series ‘Taking Guard: India’s Quest for Kiwi Glory’, according to a press release from the streamer.
‘Taking Guard’ explores India’s fabled rivalry with the Kiwis, going back to 1967, through archival match footage, soundbites and graphics.
The documentary moves seamlessly through varied themes chronicling India’s tour to New Zealand over the years.
Former greats of the game, who lend their voice in telling this riveting story, include Ravi Shastri, Ajit Agarkar, Danny Morrison, Simon Doull and Lan Smith, and Harsha Bhogle, who has not only witnessed this rivalry from close quarters but has been the voice narrating the highs and lows from some of these matches from the commentary box.
The new series launched exclusively on Prime Video.
Commenting on the series, Chaitanya Divan, Head of Sports at Prime Video, India, said, “At Prime Video we are committed to super-serving our customers in India, providing on-demand access best in entertainment across formats, genres, and languages.
“We are now excited to bring them the best in live sports and provide a new viewing experience of the much anticipated bi-lateral tour this November, between the two titans of the cricketing world, India and New Zealand.”
“Indians have a huge appetite for cricket and we are excited to present the new exclusive mini-series ‘Taking Guard‘ before India’s highly-anticipated tour to New Zealand in a few weeks. Featuring insights and analysis from cricketing legends, ‘Taking Guard’ casts the spotlight on the rivalry between the two countries, which barely sees any baring of the teeth, snarling or heated moments on the field but is full of intense competition and peppered with mutual respect. We are excited and look forward to this contest between two terrific and evenly-matched sides and will announce a few more initiatives for cricket fans in the coming weeks as the action moves from Australia to New Zealand.” Divan added.
This mini-series is part of Prime Video’s special programming initiative around the upcoming series that starts on November 18 with the first T20I and concludes with the last ODI on November 30.