The five-match T20I series between India and the West Indies, which was played in October 2026, ended 2-2 after torrential rain suspended the series decider in Bengaluru on the 17th. Including the decider, DNA Networks delivered production solutions at two venues. The other venue, apart from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, was the Rajiv Gandhi International […]
The five-match T20I series between India and the West Indies, which was played in October 2026, ended 2-2 after torrential rain suspended the series decider in Bengaluru on the 17th. Including the decider, DNA Networks delivered production solutions at two venues. The other venue, apart from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, was the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, which hosted the fourth T20I of the series.
DNA is a long-established specialist in sportainment and has brought its expertise to numerous range of events. Our expertise revolves around venue operations, hospitality, logistics, technical production, and match entertainment. When it comes to cricket, DNA has worked with the giants of the sport – The Indian Premier League (IPL) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). Hence, we have the upper hand when it comes to the production of high-magnitude cricket tournaments.
In Hyderabad, DNA was in charge of venue operations, overseeing hospitality and match entertainment such as the mid-innings show and an ambitious roof-lighting programme. We put the plan in motion a month ahead of any formal meeting before commencing operations during an intense 15-day period. Starting with hospitality, DNA focused on the checklist: accommodate sponsors, officials, VIP guests, and dignitaries. We put together 11 lounges and 72 corporate boxes that were run by seven DNA staff members with the help of 47 freelancers.
Moving from hospitality to the technical side of production, there was a lot of work ahead of us and very few days left for the match. Our lighting crews put in 268 Sharpies, 1,758 LED parcans for the pathways and elsewhere, 100 strobes and 100 lasers to alter the visual landscape of the stadium. Pyrotechnics are an essential part of such an event, especially if it is a high-scoring encounter. An aggregate of 470 runs was scored in this match, and it was a good decision to have nine pre-arranged spots with 600 shots.
In Bengaluru at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the focus was on four things: branding, medical and security coordination, hospitality and match entertainment. Even though the fifth T20I was rained out and called off after India had made 118/5 in 7.4 overs, the organisation off the field had to be exact.
DNA Networks did everything to set the mood for what little play there was, from hospitality for guests to assistance with security and medical matters in a stadium that calls for strict control. The branding operation was carried out to give partners a uniform look befitting an international event.
Instead of having lighting, logistics, hospitality, and entertainment operate in their own silos, DNA ran them all from one operational framework. From the fans’ perspective, the overall stadium environment was on point. The branding was placed perfectly, and the lighting was ideal. The stakeholders experienced a polished stadium environment, and they were managed properly to ensure hospitality was top-notch.
Overall, production in Hyderabad and Bengaluru became another page in our portfolio of delivering large-scale sportainment experiences at major cricket venues. The month-long plan in Hyderabad, followed by concentrated execution, and the multi-faceted brief in Bengaluru both underlined our brand’s operational discipline.
The fans will remember that the series ended 2-2 and, from the matches, they will remember Shai Hope’s century that earned him the Player of the Series award, and they will remember Keemo Paul’s five-wicket haul in Hyderabad. However, we will remember everything that went on behind the scenes, away from the pitch. We were glad to see that our team’s coordination ensured a strong foundation and birthed an experience that matched the scale of the occasion.
In an era when international cricket is as much about the overall match-day product as the result, such integrated production remains essential to delivering the full experience.
DNA Entertainment Networks Private Limited, No 7 (Old No. 215), Bellary Road, Palace Orchards, Bengaluru 560 080, India
