The New Zealand board has declined an Indian broadcaster's request to start the Test in Hamilton at noon instead of the traditional 11am after discussions with the teams and match officials. Multi Screen Media Pvt Ltd (formerly Sony Entertainment Television) had approached New Zealand Cricket with the request as it wants to maximise its viewership in India. If the start had been pushed back, the Test would have begun at 4.30 am in India, as opposed to 3.30 am.
The starting times for the second and third Tests, to be played in Napier and Wellington, haven't been finalised yet.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan was quoted by the Dominion Post as saying negotiations with the Indian board and Sony led to a "very amicable outcome". He said Test start times were normally set in concrete months ago but there had been a recent change in leadership at Sony and with it some new ideas on the table.
