EXCLUSIVE: Sky Sports will broadcast the Cricket World Cup semi-finals and finals in Hindi to appeal to the UK's Indian population, as their team go for glory after England were knocked out

Sky Sports will make broadcasting history this week by offering a Hindi commentary for the Cricket World Cup semi-finals and final on their main channels. 

In what is believed to be the first time a major UK broadcaster has covered a sporting event in another language, India’s last-four clash with New Zealand tomorrow will be shown with a Hindi commentary team on Sky Sports Arena.

Sky’s usual commentary team led by Mail Sport’s Nasser Hussain, former England captain Eoin Morgan and Ian Ward will provide English coverage from the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sky Sports Main Event, with Hindi commentary available on the broadcaster’s sister channel. 

Sky have secured a deal to take Hindi coverage from Indian broadcaster Star Sports, which will include commentary and analysis from legends of the game including 1983 World Cup winner Sunil Gavaskar, former head coach Ravi Shastri and 2011 World Cup winner Harbhajan Singh.

Michael Atherton will present English coverage of the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa from Kolkata on Thursday with a Hindi option also available.

The World Cup final on Sunday will also be available in Hindi on Sky Sports Mix, with India firm favourites to reach the final for the first time since winning the trophy on home soil 12 years ago after winning all nine of their matches in the group stage.

Sky have opted sought out a deal with Star to take their Hindi feed as part of their commitment to appeal to a diverse audience and attempting to help the ECB to grow the sport. 

As a result they have also agreed to sub-licence coverage of Sunday’s final to Channel 5, as Mail Sport revealed last week.