MUMBAI: The first-ever pink ball Test in the country between India and Bangladesh last November was viewed by 43 million people and clocked 2 billion viewing minutes – which was also the highest viewership for a first day of any Test match played over 2018-19, viewership data released by audience measurement company BARC India shows.
The second Test between Virat Kohli-led India and Bangladesh was played under lights at Eden Gardens. The match, part of the ICC World Test Championship, got over early on Day 3 with the hosts winning by an innings and 46 runs to wrap the series 2-0.
Beyond cricket, the most watched sports in 2019 were kabaddi, wrestling and football. Together, they consumed 85% of viewing minutes of non-cricket events, India’s sole TV viewership measurement company notes.
Sports channels saw a growth of 17% (viewing minutes) over 2018, as per BARC.
