David Warner teams up with DP World ILT20 & Zee Entertainment for ILT20 Season 2 marketing campaign

• Campaign also features the league’s ambassador Harbhajan Singh
• Gearing up for a blockbuster Season 2 following the big success in Season 1 which established the league as 2nd most watched T20 cricket league attracting 367 million viewers from India and around the world
• Following a deep distribution strategy, ZEE Entertainment will broadcast the league across its 10 linear channels
• Exclusive digital partner ZEE5 to offer free-to-view streaming
• The 34-match event will be played at the three iconic cricketing destinations – Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah – starting 19 January, 2024 until 17 February, 2024.

The league’s global stature and the participation of marquee T20 cricketing talent; viewers will witness the players push their limits to emerge victorious, leaving ‘no stone unturned’ as they embark upon one of the toughest cricket leagues. Positioned as the biggest challenge for the cricketers at the start of New Year 2024, the campaign “Koi Kasar Nahi Chhodenge” underscores their preparation, competitiveness, and commitment to the fans.  Following the success of the inaugural edition, ZEE is committed towards further strengthening the league’s appeal for viewers and partners alike.

Slated to be the biggest T20 cricketing event at the beginning year 2024; the league features a roster of the most talented and celebrated international T20 cricketers. The 34-match event will be played at the three iconic cricketing destinations – Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah – starting from 19 January, 2024 until 17 February, 2024.

Speaking at the campaign launch, Australian cricket star David Warner said, “As I gear up for my debut in one of the world’s most competitive T20 leagues, it’s truly an honor to be the face of this season’s marketing campaign. This campaign distinctly captures the league’s unparalleled stature and the exciting live cricketing contest viewers will enjoy over the 34 matches. It underscores the individual effort required at the world stage, with each cricketer giving their ultimate best. I am certain that the players will leave no stone unturned in their preparations ahead of the second season, as they strive to emerge victorious in the upcoming edition of the prestigious DP World ILT20.” Ace Australian cricketer David Warner is all set to make his debut in DP World ILT20, as part of the Dubai Capitals squad.

DP World ILT20 full squad list for Season 2 is out! With teams ready to shine, who's capturing your attention this season? Stay tuned as the action unfolds. #DPWorldILT20 #AbuDhabiKnightRiders #DesertVipers #DubaiCapitals #GulfGiants #MIEmirates #SharjahWarriors pic.twitter.com/kFdNOu8wTG

— International League T20 (@ILT20Official) October 20, 2023

The franchise-style tournament with six teams and 34 matches is played across the UAE. The league’s six franchise teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriors (Capri Global).

Cricket fans can watch this action-packed event on Zee’s most widely distributed and viewed 10 linear TV channels: & Pictures, Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema, Zee Zest, Zee Ganga, Zee Cinemalu HD, Flix, Flix HD and Zee Zest HD and on one of India’s leading OTT platforms – ZEE5.

Rahul Johri, President – Business, ZEE Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), “We are delighted to have David Warner along with league’s ambassador and commentator Harbhajan Singh to kick off DP World ILT20 Season 2 marketing campaign. The upcoming season will truly standout as one of the most significant T20 challenges and promises to offer thrilling action for cricket enthusiasts in India and around the world. With both David Warner and Harbhajan Singh seen in distinctive new avatars, the campaign film accentuates the fiercely competitive nature of DP World ILT20. At ZEE, through both linear television and streaming platform ZEE5, we aim to bring the excitement of the game to audiences like never before.”

David White, CEO, DP World ILT20, “We are delighted to have David Warner and Harbhajan Singh in our Season 2 ad film. Warner is a fantastic cricketer and his passion for the game is well regarded around the world. Harbhajan is another great of the game, like Warner, Harbhajan has also made a big mark both as a cricketer, commentator and an entertainer. The two have done an incredible job in the ad film and I am sure that the ad film will leave a mark on cricket fans not only in India but around the world. The DP World ILT20 Season 2 will be richly entertaining for the fans, our broadcast partners Zee Network have put in an incredible effort in taking the tournament live around the world. We cannot wait for the action to begin on Friday, 19 January.”

Some of the world’s most prominent cricket stars are slated to play in the Season 2, including David Warner, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sam Billings, David Willey, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, James Vince, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Chris Woakes and Martin Guptill.

Following the opener in Sharjah between Sharjah Warriors and Gulf Giants on Friday, 19th January, Dubai Capitals will play MI Emirates at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday 20 January. Last year’s runner-up Desert Vipers will open their campaign against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on Saturday at the Dubai International Stadium.

All single header matches will be broadcast LIVE at 8 pm India prime time, starting with the pre-match presentation at 7:30 pm. The afternoon match on the double-header’s day will start at 4:00 pm.

The campaign film is produced by tiqui-taka and their founder Jigar Fernandes, who has also directed the film.