May 07: ZEE5 announces Cricket Darbar, an original Hindi weekly show streaming as part of the Free5 offering. Free5 is a one-stop destination on ZEE5 that brings together a wide range of free content, including TV shows, Movies, K-dramas, and web series, News and Kids content.
Cricket Darbar transforms cricket discussions into an entertaining royal court format. Designed around the ongoing cricket season, the show brings together humour, debate, and fan perspectives in a never-seen-before talk show format where Maharaja, the decision maker, is be played by none other than India’s former opening batter – Shikhar Dhawan. Premiered on May 6, the series will follow a weekly release schedule during the ongoing cricket season. Each episode will feature a special Royal Mehman, with Adah Sharma appearing in the first episode. The show also features RJ Kisna, a popular influencer known for his humorous take through his widely loved Instagram character.
Key Details:
– Title: Cricket Darbar
– Platform: ZEE5
– Language: Hindi
– Genre: Sports talk show
– Release: May 6, 2026
– Production: The Lallantop
– Cast: Maharaj (King): Shikhar Dhawan
What is Cricket Darbar about?
Cricket Darbar is a weekly cricket-themed show set in a royal court, where the biggest moments, controversies, and conversations from the cricketing world are discussed, debated, and judged. Each episode revolves around a central theme from the week’s matches, bringing together contrasting perspectives: emotional fan reactions and expert opinions culminating in a final verdict by the Maharaj.
Blending satire, humour, and insight, the show reimagines cricket discussions as a dramatic and entertaining “Darbar,” making it as engaging for casual viewers as it is for hardcore fans.
Why Cricket Darbar stands out:
- A first-of-its-kind royal court format for cricket discussions
- Blends comedy, satire, and analysis in one cohesive narrative
- Captures the pulse of fan culture through real fan reactions, and debates
- Features celebrity cricketer – Shikhar Dhawan as the “Maharaj”
- Designed as a weekly, topical format
Official Statements:
Siju Prabhakaran, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 said,
“Our collaboration with The Lallantop for Cricket Darbar brings together a unique content sensibility and a strong pulse on fan sentiment to create a distinctive weekly cricket property for audiences across the country. Led by Shikhar Dhawan, the show reimagines cricket conversations through a royal court that debates, decodes, and celebrates the season’s defining moments. With Cricket Darbar, we continue to build fresh, culturally resonant formats that deepen audience engagement across genres, formats, and languages.”
Kartik Mahadev, Chief Marketing Office, ZEE said,
“Cricket fandom today speaks a language of its own, shaped by memes, banter, and real-time reactions that bring fans closer to the game and to each other. ZEE5 has always believed in connecting with audiences in their language, and Cricket Darbar with Shikhar Dhawan, brings that idea to life. Here the fan’s instinct meets expert perspective, and the week’s biggest moments turn into conversations everyone can be part of. It’s a format built around how audiences engage with cricket today, more participative, more current, and rooted in storytelling.”
Shikhar Dhawan, Maharaja of Cricket Darbar, said:
“Cricket has always been more than just a sport in our country; it is emotion, debate, celebration, and endless conversation. Cricket Darbar captures exactly that spirit but in a format that feels fresh and entertaining. What I loved about the show is that it brings together strong opinions, humour, and the fan’s point of view, making every week’s cricket action even more engaging.”
