Cricket fans slam TNT Sports' coverage of India vs England as 'awful' after they relied on Indian broadcast and didn't send pundits to first Test

• TNT Sports did not have a studio team for the opening day of the first Test
• Fans were extremely frustrated with their coverage as England toiled in India
• TNT Sports has confirmed that it will have a full studio team from the second Test

TNT Sports has pledged to bring a full studio team for the final four Tests of England's five-match series in India after fans complained about their coverage on Thursday.

The broadcaster only acquired the rights to the series last week, and given the last-minute nature of the negotiations, this meant fans had to listen to commentary from the host broadcaster as TNT Sports did not have a team in India.

Meanwhile, viewers did not see TNT Sports host Matt Floyd at all, the draw was not shown live after coverage began five minutes late, and lunch and tea breaks were largely used to show extended highlights from the day's play.

But TNT Sports has insisted it will look to resolve these issues, starting with the second Test next week, by putting together a studio team to provide expert analysis.

Talking to inA TNT spokesperson said: “The proximity between the agreement to show England's tour of India on TNT Sports and the start of the series meant we were unable to carry out the usual pre-production process for the first Test from Hyderabad.

“However, we will have a team on screen as usual for the rest of the series who will be able to provide expert insights and analysis to fans watching TNT Sports.”

The same outlet reported that former England captain Alastair Cook and fast bowler Stephen Finn are expected to be part of TNT Sports' coverage for the rest of the series.

Both men have previously worked with TNT Sports when England played away from home in recent years.

TNT Sports may be set to revamp its coverage from next week, but that has been of little comfort to fans, who pay up to £30 a month for the channel on the opening day of the first Test.

One viewer posted on X: “Sports coverage on @tntsports @SkySports @eurosport has become terrible.

“I'm watching #INDvENG on TNT.” No studio, no analysis, no guests. Just like #AFCON2023 on Sky. We pay for garbage through our noses!!

Another added: “TNT Sport coverage is threadbare.” They have live images and BCCI contacts but no studio and no analysis yet. Lunch just highlights what we've seen so far.

There was also some uncertainty on the part of fans about how well England would fare after the first session, with no experts to analyze England's performance with the bat.

“Woke up at lunchtime. 108/3, 300 will be good. 3 quick wickets, can we get to 250?”

“I have almost no idea if it's any good, because I have no idea if our bowlers can control the ball let alone threaten.

“And #TNT is bullshit,” one fan wrote.

It ended up being a difficult day for the tourists in Hyderabad as they were bowled out for 246 after electing to bat first, with captain Ben Stokes the only bowler to pass 50.

India got off to a flying start in their response, with Yashavi Jaiswal scoring an unbeaten 76 off just 70 balls to take the home team to 119-1 at the end of play.