News Broadcasting
WION World of Cricket: Your ultimate ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 destination
Mumbai: The cricketing world is abuzz with excitement as the much-anticipated ICC Cricket World Cup kicks off, and WION (World Is One News) is all set to be your one-stop destination for an unforgettable cricketing experience. As the countdown to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 begins, WION is launching ‘WION World of Cricket’ – a World Cup special show, starting from 2 October 2023, which will captivate cricket enthusiasts around the globe.
‘WION World of Cricket’ will be a mix of segments comprising of cross-platform coverage in form of news segments, pre-match preview show, mid-match analysis, expansive pre-world cup buzz-curiosity enhancer, post-match analysis, in-depth analysis of teams, players, match-ups, and odds leading up to the World Cup on-ground reports and interviews from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England, and South Africa etc, to keep fans engaged throughout the World cup season. Through this programming of WION World of Cricket, the channel aims to provide unparalleled cross-platform coverage, ensuring cricket viewers are at the heart of the action every step of the way.
WION editor Digvijay Singh Deo will be seen along with Dav Whatmore on the show, a former Australian cricketer and a cricket legend who coached Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh teams, thus making this World Cup season truly special. Notably, he is known as the legendary coach behind Sri Lanka’s triumphant 1996 Cricket World Cup win. Dav was also the coach of U-19 World Cup winning side in 2008 that had Virat Kohli as captain and is known to be the gamechanger in cricket who turned the fielding restrictions into an aggressive option for the batting side.
WION will make its viewers a part of its daily coverage where they will get an opportunity to pose questions and discuss match strategy with Dav Whatmore daily. The daily special segments of WION World of Cricket will also tap into the passion of the cricket fans.
Through this coverage WION guarantees to provide its viewers with
- Noise-free coverage
- Global perspective
- Analysis of all matches
- Digital-first approach
- Special preview shows on digital
“The ODI World Cup is returning to India after 12 years, and although a few questions have been raised about the 50-over format’s relevance in this day and age, it’s still a celebration of Cricket for us. With Dav as the resident expert in digital-first coverage plans, we at WION will ensure you’re never more than a click away from Cricket for the next 50 days,” expressed WION chief business officer Madhu Soman.
WION’s sports editor Digvijay Singh Deo added, “WION World of Cricket is more than just a show; it’s a celebration of the spirit of cricket and our commitment to enhancing the cricketing experience for fans worldwide. With in-depth analysis, expert commentary, and exclusive coverage, we aim to make the ICC Cricket World Cup an unforgettable journey for our viewers.”
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
