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Zee swings for six as ILT20 Season 4 lines up stars for winter showdown
MUMBAI: If winter needed warming up, the ILT20 has tossed the first spark and it comes wrapped in power-hitters, wildcard surprises and a broadcast blitz from Zee. Season 4 of the DP World International League T20 kicks off on 2 December 2025, with defending champions Dubai Capitals clashing with the Desert Vipers at the Dubai International Stadium, setting the tone for a month-long cricket carnival running till 4 January 2026.
What makes this season spicier than usual is the unmistakable Indian flavour. For the first time, the league will see established homegrown names take on UAE’s winter turf. Dinesh Karthik joins the Sharjah Warriorz, while Piyush Chawla and Unmukt Chand bring seasoned flair to the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, adding a layer of familiarity for Indian fans tuning in from home.
Across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, six franchises are gearing up for 34 matches, split across afternoon and evening fixtures, a tight cricket calendar that promises no dull days and even fewer dull overs. Teams can continue to bolster their squads with reinforcements or injury replacements as the season unfolds, keeping strategies fluid and line-ups unpredictable.
Zee, which holds exclusive broadcast rights, is positioning Season 4 as its most ambitious offering yet. The tournament will air live across &Pictures SD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Action, Zee Thirai SD, Zee Cinemalu, and stream on Zee5, with Zee5 Hindi offering free-to-view access ensuring cricket finds every screen it can.
“Season 4 marks another big leap for ILT20,” said Zee Entertainment head of advertisement revenue, broadcast & digital Laxmi Shetty. “With global stars and the electric energy of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, it has become a serious destination for fans who want high-quality cricket and a world-class viewing experience.”
And the squads don’t disappoint.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders boast heavy hitters like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Alex Hales, and wildcard pair Jason Holder and Piyush Chawla, joined by Unmukt Chand.
The Desert Vipers counter with Sam Curran, Lockie Ferguson, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, and wildcard Shimron Hetmyer.
The Dubai Capitals return with Rovman Powell, Gulbadin Naib, James Neesham, Tymal Mills, plus wildcards David Willey and Leus du Plooy.
Gulf Giants field a well-rounded unit featuring Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Tabraiz Shamsi, James Vince, and wildcards Kyle Mayers and Matthew Forde.
MI Emirates stack their roster with Jonny Bairstow, Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Fletcher, Naveen-ul-Haq, and wildcards Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran.
And the Sharjah Warriorz, led by India’s ever-reliable Dinesh Karthik, pack in Sikandar Raza, Tim David, Tim Southee, Taskin Ahmed, Nathan Sowter, plus wildcards Adil Rashid and Tom Abell.
With power-hitters, mystery spinners, wildcard firecrackers and Indian veterans all lining up under the Gulf lights, ILT20 Season 4 looks ready to serve a cricketing feast, one that begins with a bang on 2 December and ends with a champion crowned on 4 January 2026.
If you’d like, I can create a shorter version, tweak the pun, or make it even breezier.
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.
