If you’re sitting there wondering why your favorite streaming link isn't working or why the "Star Sports live cricket" search result looks a little different this morning, don't worry. You haven't lost your mind. The world of cricket broadcasting in India just went through a massive earthquake. The merger between Reliance (Jio) and Disney (Star) has basically redrawn the map of how we watch a bouncer or a cover drive.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of.
One day you’re on Hotstar, the next you’re hearing about JioStar or JioHotstar. It’s a bit of a mess, but if you want to catch the India vs. New Zealand ODI series or the U19 World Cup happening right now, you need to know exactly which app to open.
The New Reality of Star Sports Live Cricket
The big news for 2026 is the birth of the JioHotstar platform. For years, we had this split: if it was an ICC event or an away tour, you usually went to Disney+ Hotstar; if it was the IPL or domestic games, you pivoted to JioCinema. Well, the walls have come down.
🔗 Read more: New Zealand Breakers vs Illawarra Hawks: What Most People Get Wrong
As of January 2026, the primary digital home for Star Sports content in India is the JioHotstar app. This is where you’ll find the live stream for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, which literally just kicked off today, January 15, in Zimbabwe and Namibia. India is currently taking on the USA in the opening fixture, and if you're looking for it on the old standalone Hotstar app without the Jio branding, you might find yourself stuck in a loop of redirects.
Where to Watch What Right Now
- ICC U19 World Cup: It’s all over Star Sports Network on TV. If you’re on your phone, head to JioHotstar.
- India vs. New Zealand (Home Series): The 2nd ODI is literally happening right now (January 14-15 window). Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi are the main hubs.
- WPL 2026: Believe it or not, the Women's Premier League is also mid-swing. The UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals just faced off at the DY Patil Stadium. Coverage is shared across Star Sports and JioHotstar.
Why Everyone is Confused About the Channels
You’ve probably noticed that the channel numbers on your DTH (Airtel, Tata Play, Dish TV) haven't changed much, but the branding on the screen has. Star Sports 1 remains the flagship for English commentary. However, the depth of regional coverage has exploded.
If you prefer watching in your mother tongue, Star Sports 1 Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and even Bangla have dedicated feeds. For instance, on Airtel DTH, you’ll find the Hindi feed on channel 281. If you're a Kannada fan, it’s 974.
💡 You might also like: New Jersey Giants Football Explained: Why Most People Still Get the "Home Team" Wrong
The interesting thing about 2026 is how "hybrid" the experience has become. You might be watching the linear broadcast on your TV via Star Sports 2, but using the JioHotstar app on your tablet to check the "Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan" interactive scorecards. It’s actually kinda cool once you get the hang of it.
The 2026 Cricket Calendar: Don't Clear Your Schedule
If you think January is busy, just wait. The upcoming months are absolutely packed.
We have the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 starting in February (co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka). That is going to be the absolute peak of Star Sports live cricket. We’re talking about India vs. Pakistan on February 15 at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. That match alone will probably break the internet.
📖 Related: Nebraska Cornhuskers Women's Basketball: What Really Happened This Season
Then, almost immediately after the T20 World Cup final on March 8, the IPL 2026 (IPL 19) kicks off on March 26. Royal Challengers Bengaluru are coming in as defending champions—yes, they actually did it—and the tournament will run all the way through May 31.
Getting Your Setup Ready
Look, I get it. Subscriptions are getting expensive. A JioHotstar Premium plan is currently sitting around ₹299 for a basic monthly entry, but it allows for multiple concurrent streams. If you’re a die-hard fan, the annual plans are usually the way to go because they cover the T20 World Cup, the IPL, and the subsequent India tour of New Zealand in October 2026.
If you are outside of India, the rules change completely.
- USA/Canada: Willow TV is still your best bet, often bundled with Sling TV for about $10 a month.
- UK: Sky Sports Cricket has the rights for the major ICC events.
- Australia: Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports are the go-to platforms.
Actionable Steps to Never Miss a Ball
Stop scrolling through Twitter (or X) looking for "free" links that just lead to malware. Here is how you actually stay connected to Star Sports live cricket without the headache:
- Download the JioHotstar App: Even if you aren't a Jio subscriber, this is the unified platform now. Make sure it's updated to the 2026 version to avoid the "concurrent device" bugs that plagued the early January launch.
- Check Your DTH Regional Add-ons: If you’re paying for a full "Sports Pack," you might be overpaying. You can often add specific channels like Star Sports 1 Hindi for just a few rupees a month using your provider's app (like the Airtel Thanks app).
- Sync Your Calendar: Mark February 15 for the India-Pakistan T20 clash. These big games often lead to app crashes, so log in at least 20 minutes before the toss to secure your "spot" on the server.
- Verify the Feed: If you're watching the U19 World Cup, remember that the matches start at 1:00 PM IST. If the app shows "No Live Event," check if you’re on the "Live TV" tab versus the "Cricket" specific tab.
The merger has definitely made things "different," but the quality of the 4K feeds on Star Sports 4K (for those with the right set-top box) is genuinely the best cricket has ever looked. Just make sure you're on the right app before the first ball is bowled.