Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane to make Test commentary debut in Sri Lanka series
Ajinkya Rahane, the former India captain, will make his Test commentary debut for Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV during India's two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka, with the first Test at Galle International Stadium starting on August 15.
Rahane's broadcast role comes as India return to action after a 19-20 day break for the two-match Test series; the first Test is scheduled to begin on August 15 (Saturday) at Galle. This will be India's first Test in Sri Lanka since 2017, and the team — led by Shubman Gill — has not lost a Test series to their neighbours since 2008. The series carries significance for head coach Gautam Gambhir amid a difficult patch in red-ball cricket, and India will be seeking points on the World Test Championship 2025-27 table.
Rahane announced his retirement from international cricket on July 30, 2026. Over an 18-year international career he played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. He finished with 5,077 runs in Tests, 5,962 runs in ODIs and 375 runs in T20Is.
A week after retiring, Rahane confirmed he would participate in the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League and represent Amsterdam Flames.
Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV, who hold the broadcasting and streaming rights for the series, confirmed Rahane's addition to their commentary panel. Rahane said: "I’m excited to make my Test commentary debut for India’s tour of Sri Lanka on the Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV. Test cricket is the pinnacle of our sport, and having represented India in the format for so many years, it is a privilege to now look at the game from a different perspective." Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head, Sports and International, Sony Pictures Networks India, added: "He makes his Test commentary debut on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV; viewers will get to hear his perspective on the format he knows so well."
The two-Test series starts on August 15 (Saturday) at Galle International Stadium, where India will aim to collect World Test Championship 2025-27 points from the visit.