iWorld
ZEE5 launches Cricket Darbar with Shikhar Dhawan as royal host
Weekly Hindi show mixes cricket chatter, comedy and fan banter on Free5
MUMBAI: ZEE5 has stepped onto the cricket pitch with the launch of Cricket Darbar, a new weekly Hindi show that blends cricket conversations with comedy, satire and fan culture in a royal court-style format.
Streaming as part of ZEE5’s Free5 offering, the show premiered on 6 May and will roll out weekly through the ongoing cricket season. Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan takes centre stage as the “Maharaj”, presiding over debates, opinions and dramatic verdicts inspired by the week’s biggest cricket moments.
Produced by The Lallantop, the show aims to turn everyday cricket banter into a lively entertainment spectacle. Each episode will feature a special “Royal Mehman”, with Adah Sharma appearing in the opening episode. Social media personality RJ Kisna also joins the format, adding his trademark humour and fan-driven commentary.
Unlike traditional sports panel shows, Cricket Darbar leans heavily into satire and audience sentiment, presenting match discussions through exaggerated courtroom-style drama. From controversial decisions to emotional fan reactions, the series attempts to package cricket talk in a more conversational and meme-friendly format.
Speaking about the launch, ZEE5 chief business officer Siju Prabhakaran said the collaboration with The Lallantop combines strong audience understanding with a distinctive storytelling style to create a fresh cricket property for viewers across the country.
He added that the platform continues to focus on culturally resonant formats that deepen audience engagement across genres and languages.
Meanwhile, ZEE5 chief marketing officer Kartik Mahadev said modern cricket fandom is increasingly shaped by memes, banter and real-time reactions, and Cricket Darbar has been designed to reflect how audiences engage with the sport today.
For Dhawan, the format mirrors the emotional energy surrounding cricket in India. He said the show captures the spirit of cricket conversations by bringing together humour, strong opinions and fan perspectives in a format that feels both entertaining and fresh.
With cricket fever continuing to dominate screens and social feeds alike, ZEE5 appears to be betting on a lighter, more interactive spin on sports entertainment, where every match can spark a royal debate.
