FIFA World Cup-level broadcast technology is set to make its way into cricket when India face Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series in New Delhi next month. The series will introduce a range of advanced production tools designed to give viewers more immersive angles, sharper replays and deeper tactical insights.
The three matches are scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17, with the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi hosting the series. ITW Universe, which holds the production rights, says the coverage will be produced to full FIFA World Cup host-broadcast standards — a first for a bilateral cricket series.
FIFA World Cup-Style Technology Comes To Cricket #
The biggest attraction will be the introduction of technology more commonly associated with major global football events. The India vs Afghanistan T20Is will feature AI-stabilised point-of-view cameras, volumetric free-viewpoint technology, advanced Spidercam, ultra-motion cameras and cine-style storytelling.
These innovations are designed to move cricket coverage beyond conventional camera angles. Instead of simply following the ball, broadcasters will have more flexibility to recreate key moments and provide viewers with perspectives that can make crucial passages of a T20 match easier to understand.
The production is being led by ITW Universe, which says the series will represent a significant upgrade in bilateral cricket coverage. The approach is aimed at giving audiences a more cinematic and immersive experience while maintaining the speed and intensity expected from T20 cricket.
Volumetric Free-Viewpoint Technology To Transform Replays #
One of the most intriguing additions is volumetric free-viewpoint technology. A network of cameras can be used to create a three-dimensional digital representation of the playing area, allowing broadcasters to generate virtual viewpoints around the action.
For viewers, this could transform the way important moments are replayed. Instead of relying on a fixed camera position, key incidents could potentially be examined from different perspectives, providing a more detailed view of deliveries, shots, dismissals and fielding moments. The technology could be particularly useful in a fast-paced T20 environment, where split-second decisions often determine the outcome of a match. By giving production teams more freedom over replay angles, the coverage can offer fans a closer look at the finer details of the game.
AI Cameras, Spidercam And Ultra-Motion To Feature #
The broadcast will also introduce AI-stabilised POV cameras and advanced Spidercam, alongside ultra-motion technology capable of capturing fast-moving cricket action in exceptional detail.
Ultra-slow-motion footage can bring bat-ball contact, edges, stumpings, bowling actions and spectacular fielding efforts into sharper focus. These detailed replays could give viewers a better appreciation of moments that are often completed in fractions of a second.
The combination of automated camera stabilisation, aerial coverage and high-speed replay technology is intended to create a more polished viewing experience. It also brings elements of the production approach used at major international sporting events into a bilateral cricket series.
Spatio System To Bring Augmented Reality Into Cricket #
Another major feature will be Spatio, developed by Quidich Innovation Labs. The system combines a stabilised drone feed with broadcast-grade augmented reality and real-time optical player tracking.
This technology can allow broadcasters to place graphics directly over the playing field and show player positions as the action unfolds. It could also be used to explain field settings, tactical plans and strategic decisions in a more visual way.
For T20 cricket, where field placements can change rapidly depending on the batter, bowler and match situation, such visualisations could make tactical elements easier for casual viewers to understand while giving experienced fans additional analytical information.
FIFA World Cup Director Jamie Oakford To Lead Production #
Adding to the significance of the project is the involvement of Jamie Oakford, who has directed every FIFA World Cup since 2002, including the 2014 final between Germany and Argentina.
Oakford has also worked on major UEFA Champions League finals, bringing extensive experience of large-scale international sports broadcasting to the India-Afghanistan series.
His involvement underlines the ambition behind the project. Rather than simply adding new cameras to a traditional cricket broadcast, the organisers are attempting to replicate the production philosophy and technical standards associated with football's biggest tournament.
FIFA WORLD CUP LEVEL TECHNOLOGY COMING TO INDIA VS AFGHANISTAN T20I SERIES NEXT MONTH:🇮🇳 🇦🇫
— Danish (@BhttDNSH100) Bhairav Shanth - "We want to move away from the same old production technology used in cricket for the last 10-12 years. The series will give new experiences to viewers and brands".…[pic.twitter.com/yzl7AZePdi][August 20, 2026]
India vs Afghanistan T20I Series Dates #
India and Afghanistan will meet in three T20Is on September 13, 15 and 17, 2026, with all three matches scheduled to be played in New Delhi.
The series will therefore offer cricket fans two attractions: an international T20 contest between two sides with plenty of explosive white-ball talent, and a major experiment in how modern technology can change the way cricket is presented to audiences.
With FIFA World Cup-inspired production, AI cameras, free-viewpoint replays, augmented reality, Spidercam and ultra-motion coverage, the India vs Afghanistan T20I series could mark a significant new chapter in cricket broadcasting.