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Zee to go the whole hog with DP World ILT20 cricket league in 2025
MUMBAI: Sports is what it had let go of more than a decade or so ago. Now Zee Entertainment is making a big-bang entry back into it. The entertainment giant announced today that it will be telecasting the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) on 15 of its channels, on Zee5 and on its syndicate partners’ TV and digital networks across the world from 11 January 2025 for the month long cricket fiesta.
Among the channels it will be telecasting the matches include: &Pictures SD, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema 2, Zee Action, Zee Biskope, Zee Zest SD, Zee Cinemalu HD, Zee Telugu HD, Zee Thirai, Zee Tamil HD, Zee Kannada HD, Zee Zest HD, &Flix SD, &Flix HD. The DPL ILT20 tournament will also be free to view on one of India’s leading OTT platforms – Zee5.
A press release issued by the network states that the idea is to capture a viewership of 230 million just from India. What will help it get there is the fact that the tournament will be shown on its southern language channels as well, expanding its reach exponentially.
The matches will take place at three iconic UAE locations – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – starting from 11 January to 9 February 2025.
“Zee is delighted to present third season of DP World ILT20 to cricket fans in India and across the globe, offering an electrifying experience across our 15 linear TV channels and OTT platform, Zee5,” says Zee chief growth officer-digital & broadcast revenue. “With some of the finest players, iconic stadiums and top sporting franchises, we aim to elevate the cricket carnival experience, building on last year’s success and cementing the league’s status as the second most watched T20 cricket league globally.”
DP World ILT20, in its second season, drew 200,000 attendees over 34 games. The league is the second most-watched T20 cricket league globally, with a total of 348 million unique viewers from around the world, including a staggering 221 million viewers from India. With a notable 46 per cent share of female viewership and 55 per cent share of youth viewership, the league’s broad appeal in India underscores its status as household entertainment, says the press release.
“The difference between DPL World ILT20 and IPLT20 is that each of the franchises can have more international players on the teams in our league. The IPL has by its construct more Indian players in each team,” Sehgal had told news channel Wion during an interview earlier this week.
The existing roster continues to be strong with the presence of players like David Warner, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Lockie Ferguson, Wanindu Hasaranga and Jake Fraser McGurk among others.
The franchise-style tournament DP World ILT20 comprises six teams: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Knight Riders Group), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR Group), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriorz (Capri Global).
The previous edition was won by MI Emirates.
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.
