National
Jharkhand
Sports
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final Achieves Record-Breaking Viewership in India
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand has set unprecedented viewership records in India, marking it as one of the most-watched One Day Internationals (ODIs) in television history outside of ICC Cricket World Cup matches. The thrilling match, held on March 9 in Dubai, captivated 230 million viewers, accumulating a staggering 53 billion minutes of watch-time across both television and digital platforms.
The tournament’s overall success is further underscored by its total watch-time, which soared to approximately 250 billion minutes. This remarkable figure was achieved through broadcasts on Star Sports and JioHotstar, with the final drawing particular attention. The climactic match witnessed peak concurrent viewership numbers of 122 million on television and 61 million on JioHotstar, establishing new highs for digital cricket viewership.
ICC Chair Jay Shah expressed his elation over these milestones, stating, “The Champions Trophy made an amazing return after eight years, and the viewership numbers from India have been overwhelming, particularly for the final between India and New Zealand.” He emphasized that these incredible numbers highlight cricket’s massive appeal in India and how multi-language coverage has significantly boosted fan engagement.
The high-profile league match between archrivals India and Pakistan also contributed significantly to these impressive statistics. This encounter became one of the most-watched ODI matches ever in India, clocking over 26 billion minutes of watch-time on linear TV, surpassing previous records and showcasing the nation’s fervent passion for cricket.
The Champions Trophy’s return after eight years has not only reignited excitement among existing cricket fans but has also attracted new audiences, setting a new benchmark for viewership in multi-nation cricket tournaments.
#cricket #NationToday
International
Khalistani Supporters Vandalize Hindu Temple and Sikh Gurdwara in Canada, Sparking Community Outrage
In a troubling series of events, both a Hindu temple and a Sikh gurdwara in British Columbia, Canada, have been vandalized with pro-Khalistan graffiti, raising concerns about rising extremism and community tensions.
The Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey was defaced for the third time, with anti-Hindu and anti-India slogans spray-painted on its walls. Reports also indicate that security equipment was stolen during the incident . The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) has strongly condemned the act, sharing video evidence and expressing deep concern over the increasing instances of ‘Hinduphobia’ in the country.
In a separate incident, the Ross Street Gurdwara in Vancouver, operated by the Khalsa Diwan Society, was similarly targeted. Graffiti reading “Khalistan Zindabad” and other pro-Khalistan slogans were spray-painted multiple times on the gurdwara’s parking lot wall . This act has sparked anger within the Sikh community, with many attributing the vandalism to a small group of separatists.
These incidents have prompted widespread condemnation from various community leaders and organizations, who are calling for increased vigilance and action to prevent further acts of vandalism and to maintain communal harmony.
#Canada #KhalistaniExtremism #HinduTempleVandalism #SikhGurdwaraAttack #CommunityHarmony #CHCC #RossStreetGurdwara #LakshmiNarayanMandir
