ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited will broadcast the second season of DP World ILT20, the world’s second most watched T20 cricket league, on its linear channels and OTT platform ZEE5 starting from January 2024.

DP World ILT20 Season 2: Elevating the Standard of T20 Cricket

In an exciting announcement, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) has revealed that the second season of the highly anticipated DP World ILT20, one of the world’s most watched T20 cricket leagues, will be aired live on ZEE’s linear channels and OTT platform ZEE5 from January 2024. This news comes as a breath of fresh air for cricket fans worldwide, who are eagerly awaiting the high-intensity action and nail-biting matches that the tournament promises to deliver.

ZEE, renowned for its groundbreaking content, is committed to providing a grander and more enthralling presentation of the DP World ILT20’s 34-match format. By broadcasting the tournament across their linear channels and digital platform, ZEE5, they ensure that viewers are able to enjoy every moment of the cricketing extravaganza. With matches set to take place in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, cricket aficionados can expect to witness top-tier players from around the globe battling it out for glory.

Last season saw the DP World ILT20 captivate audiences worldwide, garnering a staggering 367 million reach across TV and digital platforms. Rahul Johri, President – Business, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, expressed his delight at the overwhelming response to the inaugural season and emphasized their commitment to building a stronger sports business. The collaboration with the Emirates Cricket Board will undoubtedly elevate the broadcast numbers to new heights, captivating audiences not only in India but across the globe.

The retention of star players by the six franchises – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors – adds to the excitement surrounding the tournament. Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Kieron Pollard, and Dwayne Bravo are just a few of the exceptional talents that fans can look forward to witnessing in action. This star-studded lineup ensures that the competition will be fierce and the cricketing prowess on display will be unmatched.

With the success of the inaugural season serving as a testament to the tournament’s potential, the General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board, Mubashshir Usmani, expressed his delight in partnering with ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited for season 2. The aim is to surpass the outstanding broadcast numbers from the first season and create an even more immersive experience for viewers in India and around the world.

The DP World ILT20 Season 2 promises to be a cricketing spectacle like no other. As the tournament draws closer, cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate being enthralled by the skill, passion, and drama that will unfold on the pitch. ZEE’s commitment to delivering a world-class viewing experience ensures that fans will not be disappointed. Brace yourselves for a cricketing carnival that will leave us all in awe.

DP World ILT20 Season 2 to air LIVE on ZEE’s linear channels & OTT platform ZEE5 from Jan 2024

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEE) announced that the second season of the world’s second most watched T20 cricket league – DP World ILT20, sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board. The action packed tournament will air LIVE across the company’s linear channels and OTT platform ZEE5 from Jan, 2024.

Synonymous for its ground-breaking content, ZEE is committed to provide an even grander presentation of the 34-match format DP World ILT20. The second season promises enthralling cricket action in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah in January and February 2024 with the finest players from the cricketing world being retained by the six franchises – Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Sharjah Warriors.

Rahul Johri, President – Business, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, said, “We are delighted with the overwhelming response DP World ILT20 received in its first season, generating a massive 367 million worldwide reach across TV and Digital platforms. The second season comes with an even bigger promise of an unparalleled cricketing action with the world’s top T20 cricketers retained by the six teams. DP World ILT20 Season 2 will continue to entertain viewers not just in India but across the world and build our sports business.”

General Secretary ECB Mubashshir Usmani, commented, “DP World ILT20’s inaugural season was a roaring success. The tournament made waves worldwide through the presence of T20 superstars, quality cricket, world class production and a broadcast partnership which generated a reach of more than 367 million across TV and digital platforms. We are once again delighted to partner with Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited for Season 2 and our aim is to even better the outstanding broadcast numbers from India and around the world that we gathered from the inaugural season.”

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have retained the T20 mega star Andre Russell and last year’s captain, and the prolific spinner Sunil Narine. Other retained players include Joe Clarke, Charith Asalanka, Marchant De Lange, Ali Khan, Sabir Ali and Matiullah Khan.

Desert Vipers, the finalists of Season 1, have retained the inaugural season’s top-scorer Alex Hales and the Captain Colin Munro. Other retained players from the previous season are Wanindu Hasaranga, Sherfane Rutherford, Tom Curran, Luke Wood, Matheesha Pathirana, Rohan Mustafa, Sheldon Cottrell, Dinesh Chandimal, Gus Atkinson and Ali Nasser.

Dubai Capitals have retained the ace West Indian player, Rovman Powell and England’s stalwart Joe Root. The franchise has also retained Dushmantha Chameera, Sikandar Raza and Raja Akifullah Khan.

Champions, Gulf Giants have retained the captain James Vince and Best Bowler of the Tournament Chris Jordan. Chris Lynn, Shimron Hetmyer, Carlos Brathwaite, Jamie Overton, Richard Gleeson, Rehan Ahmed, Gerhard Erasmus, Aayan Afzal Khan and Sanchit Sharma have also been retained by the franchise.

MI Emirates retention list is led by Kieron Pollard and highest T20 wicket taker Dwayne Bravo. The other retained players from Season 1 include Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, Muhammad Waseem, Zahoor Khan, Daniel Mousley, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Will Smeed, Mckenny Clarke, and Andre Fletcher.

Sharjah Warriors have retained bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes and batsman Joe Denly. Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mark Deyal, Junaid Siddique and Muhammad Jawadullah are the players who have also been retained.