Sony bags SL-India broadcast rights

Sri Lanka Cricket has sold broadcast rights for the forthcoming three-Test series against India to Sony for $3.25 million - a $1.85 million increase from the bid the board had originally received from Ten Sports. As part of the new deal, SLC advanced the tour by six days, and moved the third Test from Pallekele to the SSC in Colombo, as Kandy was deemed too prone to rain to host a match in late August. Kumar Sangakkara's farewell Test, meanwhile, was confirmed for the P Sara Oval in Colombo.

The new figure remained well short of what SLC had originally expected, with a three-Test series against India usually worth more than $5 million. However, the increase came as some relief to the board, which has had payments from the ICC in escrow since April, and has additionally begun expensive infrastructure upgrades at Khettarama Stadium.

The first Test in Galle had been scheduled to begin on August 18, but has been brought forward to avoid a clash with Sri Lanka's general elections, which are set for August 17. India are also likely to play a warm-up match in Colombo before the Tests begin.

SLC had expressed dismay in the original bid from Ten Sports, its usual broadcaster, before negotiating with other companies for an increase. The board has an ongoing seven-year deal with Ten Sports but this tour was sold separately because it had not appeared as a home series in the Future Tour Programme. These Tests were meant to be played in India, but the previous board had negotiated for them to be brought to Sri Lanka, in exchange for an impromptu five-ODI series in India last year.