ILT20

Established in 2021 and sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board, under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman Emirates Cricket Board, the International League T20, also known as the DP World ILT20, is the UAE's professional-level Twenty20 Cricket League. The Inaugural edition of the DP World ILT20 will take place in January and February 2023.

Having received multi-year ICC approval, the DP World ILT20 celebrates International, Associate and UAE-based players, bringing together 84 International (including Associate) stars of the game and 24 UAE-based players to compete in a 34-match format across the UAE's exemplary, world-class Cricket facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah (UAE).

The inaugural year showcases six franchise teams, including Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders), Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital), Dubai Capitals (GMR), Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline), MI Emirates (Reliance Industries), and Sharjah Warriorz (Capri Global), featuring star players such as Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, Wanindu Hasaranga, Trent Boult, Sam Billings, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo and many, many more.

At its heart, the DP World ILT20 aims to develop and lift the profile of the Associate and UAE-based player, while offering an engaging, thrilling international-level T20 League for the enjoyment of Cricket fans world-wide. In support of this mandate, the League will implement exciting, fan-engaging cutting-edge technology-focused initiatives to bring the fan 'from the stands onto the pitch'.

Multi-year broadcast partner ZEE will telecast all League matches across their vast ZEE's linear channels as well on its digital platform, Zee5.

Franchise Teams

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders)

The Knight Riders Group, led by Shah Rukh Khan, along with Juhi Chawla and her business partner husband Jay Mehta, have secured the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders' franchise in the DP World ILT20. The move sees the Knight Riders Group further spread their tentacles into franchise cricket as they expand the Knight Riders brand globally.

Desert Vipers (Lancer Capital)

In its first-ever foray into international cricket, Lancer Capital LLC, chaired by Avram Glazer, makes its historic debut into the sport by securing DP World ILT20's Desert Vipers team. Lancer Capital has investments in a variety of best-in-class assets, where this partnership bolsters their vision of a long term investment strategy into the world of sports.

Dubai Capitals (GMR)

Indian-based infrastructure powerhouse, GMR Group, headed by Kiran Grandhi, signed DP World ILT20's first franchise, stamping both the League and Dubai Capitals' intent on creating a dynamic and highly engaging addition to the international T20-cricket calendar. Dubai Capitals will integrate their group strategy to support sports from grass-roots through to international level while being effective in engaging with the community as well as the global cricket ecosystem.

Gulf Giants (Adani Sportsline)

In a landmark, exciting move, Adani Group's 'Adani Sportsline' - the sports-arm of the diversified Adani Group, overseen by Chairman and Founder Gautam Adani - have made their foray into international franchise cricket by joining forces with, and acquiring DP World ILT20 team, the Gulf Giants. This will be the first major move overseas by Adani Sportsline where they aim to connect and engage with global fans from across the cricketing nations, while fostering global competitive opportunities for future champions. Gulf Giants were the inaugural winners of the Season 1 of DP World ILT20

MI Emirates (Reliance Industries Limited)

Mukesh D. Ambani led Reliance Industries Limited, (RIL) through its subsidiary Reliance Strategic Business Ventures, makes their first major overseas expansion by securing and launching MI Emirates. DP World ILT20 will greatly benefit from the RIL's commercial and cricket know-how, promising a new and exciting brand of cricket bolstered by the best learnings, experiences, and entertainment. MI Emirates won in Season 2

Sharjah Warriorz (Capri Global)

Capri Global, one of India's leading investment banking firms, diversifies its interests with a historic foray into franchise cricket by acquiring DP World ILT20's Sharjah Warriorz. With Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director and Founder at the helm, the signing marks a long-term entry into sports-franchising will allow Capri Global to leverage on the passion that both the Indian, and world-wide, audience has for cricket..