The eagerly awaited second season of the ILT20 (UAE T20 League) is all set to kick off on January 19. The schedule, disclosed on August 23, features a well-planned strategy to minimize scheduling conflicts with the concurrent SA20 league. Despite the overlap, measures have been taken to ensure minimal disruption to both programs. SA20 is slated to run from January 10 to February 10.
With a massive viewership of over 367 million during its inaugural season, the UAE’s largest six-team league is gearing up for another exciting season that will culminate on February 18. While the complete schedule is yet to be revealed, fans can anticipate another round of exhilarating cricketing action.
Continuing the trend from the first season, the second edition will feature six teams: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors. The league will follow a 34-match format, including 30 group games and four playoffs, culminating in the grand final.
The recent announcements have unveiled an impressive roster of players, further amplifying the excitement for the upcoming season. Notable names such as David Willey, Josh Little, Alex Hales, David Warner, Mark Wood, Akeal Hosein, and Corey Anderson, among others, have confirmed their participation for various teams.
Ambati Rayudu, representing MI Emirates, will be the sole Indian participant in the league. While some players like Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa, who were part of the first season, have been released by Dubai Capitals, others like Saurabh Netravalkar, an Indian cricketer currently representing the US, have joined the action. Netravalkar, hailing from Mumbai University, has been recruited by Gulf Giants.
The league will also feature a contingent of Pakistan players, including Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who are set to play for the Desert Vipers side. Each team has a cap of 25 players with a player pool worth $2.5 million.
Gulf Giants, owned by the Adani Group, are the defending champions. Under the leadership of James Vince, the Giants clinched victory in the inaugural season by defeating Desert Vipers in the final.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
New signings: Brandon McMullen, David Willey, Jake Lintott, Josh Little, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper, Ravi Bopara and Sam Hain.
Retentions:Ali Khan, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Joe Clarke, Sabir Ali, Sunil Narine, Marchant de Lange and Matiullah Khan.
Desert Vipers
New signings: Adam Hose, Azam Khan, Bas de Leede, Michael Jones, Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Retentions: Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Colin Munro, Dinesh Chandimal, Gus Atkinson, Luke Wood, Matheesha Pathirana, Rohan Mustafa, Sheldon Cottrell, Sherfane Rutherford, Tom Curran and Wanindu Hasaranga.
Dubai Capitals
New signings: Andrew Tye, Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Mark Wood, Max Holden, Mohammad Mohsin, Nuwan Thusara, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Roelof van der Merwe, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Sam Billings.
Retentions: Dushmantha Chameera, Joe Root, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell and Sikandar Raza.
Gulf Giants
New signings: Dominic Drakes, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Karim Janat, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman, Saurabh Netravalkar.
Retentions: Aayan Afzal Khan, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Jordan, Chris Lynn, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson, Sanchit Sharma and Shimron Hetmyer.
MI Emirates
New signings: Akeal Hosein, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Kusal Perera, Nosthush Kenjige, Odean Smith, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil.
Retentions:Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, McKenny Clarke, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, Will Smeed and Zahoor Khan.
Sharjah Warriors
New signings: Chris Sole, Daniel Sams, Dilshan Madhushanka, James Fuller, Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis, Lewis Gregory, Maheesh Theekshana, Mark Watt, Martin Guptill, Sean Williams and Qais Ahmed.
Retentions:Chris Woakes, Joe Denly, Junaid Siddique, Mark Deyal, Muhammad Jawadullah and Tom Kohler-Cadmore
As excitement builds for the second season of ILT20, cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the captivating matches, intense rivalries, and outstanding performances that the league promises to deliver.
