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DP World ILT20 season one, a big hit amongst cricket fans
Mumbai: The inaugural edition of the DP World ILT20 made great waves around the world as Gulf Giants lifted the glittering trophy in the 12 February 2023 final at the Dubai International Stadium. The tournament decider was played in front of a packed stadium as the James Vince-led Giants made history by becoming the first-ever champions of UAE’s very own T20 league.
The DP World ILT20 received a great response from cricket fans around the world especially India through broadcast that was available on Zee’s linear and digital platforms with commentary in English, Hindi and Tamil.
According to a research report by one of the leading global sports, sponsorship and entertainment research companies YouGov Sport, the DP World ILT20 Season 1 was the second most-watched league in India.
The DP World ILT20 gained a reach of 255.4 million fans in India while the TV ratings and reach numbers for the league were 0.19.
The opening edition of the tournament became popular amongst the fans due to the high-quality performances by the biggest assembly of foreign players in any tournament, 118 international players competed in the tournament.
The event captured the imagination of the fans through the broadcast including match highlights and clips that were made available for the fans not only on Zee’s linear and digital platforms but also on the DP World ILT20’s digital platforms.
The DP World ILT20 2023 edition also made a mark globally with numbers of 367 million worldwide viewership through TV and digital platforms.
ECB general secretary Mubashshir Usmani said, “We are delighted with our broadcast numbers for the inaugural season. The DP World ILT20 made waves around the world including India. The support that the league got speaks volumes about the quality of cricket that the inaugural DP World ILT20 provided to the fans. We are fully focussed on making the second season bigger and better. The DP World ILT20 is here to stay and we have no doubt that with the support of the franchises, our broadcast partners Zee and all our other stakeholders, the league will gain more popularity.”
Zee president- business Rahul Johri said, “The DP World ILT20 season one has been a phenomenal success in India and across the world. It was watched by over 250 million viewers on linear television and digital platforms, making it the second most-watched T20 cricket league in the world.
We are equally delighted that advertisers and distribution partners gained tremendous value from the league. We are extremely proud of our relationship with the Emirates Cricket Board and are confident of scaling bigger milestones in the following years.”
YouGov Sport India managing director Joseph Eapen said, “We, YouGov Sport, the trusted official media evaluation supplier to a wide range of cricket leagues globally, possess comprehensive insights into the crucial success parameters of these leagues. In this regard, DP World ILT20 has proven to be an exceptional success story right from its inaugural season, which is truly commendable.
Notably, DP World ILT20 has achieved a remarkable reach of over 367m unique viewers globally of which more than 250 viewers are from India, according to BARC: a monumental accomplishment unparalleled by any other T20 league, in their first season.”
There is more to come as the DP World ILT2o is set to return with the second edition of the tournament from 13 January 2024. A series of exciting announcements are set to begin soon as the teams prepare for the players’ retention process while lining up potential new recruits from UAE.
Season two will also have a world-class roster of players, while the home-grown and developed UAE talent will once again showcase the cricketing skill, that the country has to offer.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
