MUMBAI: ESPNcricinfo, the world’s leading digital cricket brand seems to be strengthening its digital team. It has brought on board TV journalist Gaurav Kalra as the Senior Editor for the emerging video editorial and a part of the content development group.

Kalra, who joins ESPN from CNN-IBN, will work with ESPNcricinfo's in-house digital video production teams and acclaimed editorial team to continue to grow and develop the brand’s use of high-quality video in their journalism and storytelling, as well as original analysis and programming. Kalra will report to Editor of ESPNcricinfo Sambit Bal.

Kalra will be based out of ESPN's Bangalore office, where ESPNcricinfo also unveiled a new studio and control room built to enhance the production capabilities and quality for the site.

The highly-flexible digital video production studio is designed with four different “pocket sets” that can be purposed for four entirely different programming uses – including a main set, smaller and more casual “discussion” space, a video wall and a “pitch” demonstration set. Each can be customised for different shows and sponsor elements. The studio features multiple HD camera positions, cutting-edge digital switcher and recorder equipment, an eight-line Telos audio system, professional grade talk back system and a live streaming encoder – allowing it to produce full TV-quality programme production.

“ESPN has been at the forefront of developing world-class sports content and are known to have revolutionised the way content is delivered on digital platforms. The opportunity to keep pace with evolving tastes of sports fans and develop high-impact, share-able content in the process, is tremendous. ESPNcricinfo has enjoyed enviable brand loyalty from cricket fans thus far, and I look forward to enhancing the offering by looking at new series and video programming to take story-telling to the next level,” said Kalra.