ILT20 Season 2 New Additions

The International League T20 (ILT20) has garnered excitement among cricket enthusiasts as it brings together six franchises competing in the UAE.

The participating teams include Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors.

These teams have unveiled their squads for the inaugural season, featuring a mix of international and local talents. This tournament offers a unique platform to showcase some of the best cricket players from around the world, with a maximum of 9 overseas players allowed to be in the starting XI of a franchise.

So, let’s analyze each team’s new picks and assess how it has further strengthened their squads:

1. Gulf Giants

Source: ILT20

The new signees for the Gulf Giants include:

• Dominic Drakes, who was with the Gulf Giants, in their title-winning march last season.
• Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith have been quite good in The Hundred for their sides Oval Invincibles and Birmingham Phoenix, respectively. The former is in the list of Top-10 run scorers in the comp, whereas the latter has been effective for the Phoenix side, with his ball-striking abilities, at a strike rate over 150.
• Mujeeb Ur Rahman did pretty well for the Dubai Capitals last season, and due to this, he has been brought in the Gulf Giants side to bring in a mystery spin factor in the attack.
• Saurabh Netravalkar, the former USA captain and also the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded MLC, was drafted in as an Associate player. He was fantastic for the Washington Freedom, especially in the Powerplay.
• Karim Janat: Since the UAE also hosts the Abu Dhabi T10 League, players like Karim Janat get to play and their talents get noticed, which mostly might go unserved or unnoticed. In the last season, Karim had an average of 40 with the bat in the T10 as a floater for the Samp Army franchise, which showed that he has some skill to bat on the slow tired UAE pitches.

2. Desert Vipers

Source- ILT20

The new signees for the Desert Vipers are:

• Adam Hose: In the last two years, he has enhanced his game by leaps and bounds, firstly for Birmingham Bears and then for Worcestershire Rapids this season. Hose would be a good batting backup, who can play at high SR and play impactful innings for the franchise, whenever needed.
• Azam Khan: Last season, the Desert Vipers were one player away from lifting the trophy. This time, it seems the missing piece in the jigsaw is filled, with a batter who scores at a high SR in the middle order and also keeps behind the wicket in Azam. He could also complement Sherfane to be a destructive finishing pair for the Vipers.
• Bas De Leede: One of the brightest prospects in the Associate circuit, Bas has improved quite significantly to become an asset for his team, with both bat and ball in hand, scoring runs and taking wickets. But, he is yet to be tested in the T20 format, especially in a high-pressure franchise tournament.
• Michael Jones: Michael has improved his T20 game quite significantly, with a T20 Blast contract with Durham. Also, he has an upward curve, which makes him an asset for the Vipers, for future years as well, as an Associate player.
• Shadab Khan: The Islamabad United captain and surely a key figure in this side, having the experience of playing under coach Azhar Mahmood. Also, his improved power-hitting with his leg-spin bowling makes him a T20 star, and combined with Wanindu Hasaranga, this might be the greatest T20 leg-spin duo to play together ever.
• Shaheen Afridi: ‘The Hawk’ has signed a 3-year contract with Vipers, ensuring that with Sheldon Cottrell, there is another blockbuster pacer, who takes wickets in the Powerplay. He can also provide an additional cushion to the powerful batting lineup the Vipers possess.

3. MI Emirates

Source: ILT20

The new signees for MI Emirates are:

• Akeal Hosein: One of the star left-arm orthodox spinners around in the T20 circuit, Akeal Hosein has been signed by the MI Emirates, to bolster the side, with some left-arm spin, which is missing, after the departure of Samit Patel. Also, his batting would be pretty handy to complement a power-packed batting lineup.
• Ambati Rayudu: One of the under-rated, but pretty useful batters from India has joined the MI Emirates side. He may be only a backup to one of the middle-order batters, but still, he is a good flexible batter, who can bat anywhere in the lineup and also keep if needed.

• Corey Anderson: USA player currently, Corey Anderson is no stranger to being in an MI-based side. His heroics in the MLC, especially batting at high SR at number 6 position against quality international bowlers shows he still has that in him, to showcase his talent. Though his batting power is relatively the same, his bowling has waned pretty much, with him being preferred occasionally to bowl, similar to Kieron Pollard.

• Kusal Perera: On the back of a stellar LPL season for the Dambulla Aura at no.4, the MI Emirates have drafted in Kusal, as Nicholas Pooran’s backup, considering that KJP has international experience and can strike at good SR in T20s.

• Nosthush Kenjige: One of the talented players from the USA, Nosh was drafted by the MI New York in the MLC, and his economical performances for the MI-based franchise were a major reason for them winning the MLC. Now, he’s been drafted as an Associate player.

• Odean Smith: A player, who has recently been under the MI franchise network, but it seems that they are pretty interested in the skill he provides. His powerful ball-striking and sharp pace bowling has ensured that he is under the watchful eyes of the MI coaching staff, to develop him as a Pollard-esque player.

• Vijaykanth Viyaskanth: A Sri Lankan spinner, who has risen quite progressively, in the last 3 seasons of the LPL, and he is now the best spinner in the Jaffna Kings side. Even Kumar Sangakkara, Director of Cricket at RR, invited him for a month to train with the Rajasthan Royals team. Now, Mahela Jayawardene, as Global Director of Cricket at MI has noticed his leg-spinning talent and has drafted him, such that he improves under the watchful eyes of the MI coaching staff and gets regular chances, considering he is the only right-arm leg-spinner in the entire squad.

• Waqar Salamkheil: A chinaman spinner, who has been previously part of the MI Cape Town in the SA20 last season, has now been drafted by the MI Emirates side. But, it’s rather surprising to see him get drafted, considering he has played very few T20 matches in the recent past. It looks, though, that he will also be trained, under the watchful eyes of the MI coaching staff, to develop him as a mystery spin bowler. 

4. Sharjah Warriors

Source: ILT20

The new signees for Sharjah Warriors are:

• Chris Sole: One of the fastest pacers in the Associate circuit, Chris Sole touched speeds of 140-145 kph and even touched 150 kph, in the World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe. Currently in the CPL, for St. Lucia Kings, his pace has helped the ball to be hit quicker, on the fast pitches at St. Lucia. So, he might be brought in, only against some teams, who have batters fearing extreme pace.

• Daniel Sams: He has re-jigged his role as a bowler in T20s, from being just a pace-off bowler at the death. But now, he has added a new dimension of economic PP bowling, in his armoury. The MLC stint with TSK and his Blast stint with Essex showed the great utility of Daniel Sams the bowler. Also, he can still be relied on with the bat, for a few runs, at good SR, to provide the batting depth to the Warriors’ side.

• Dilshan Madushanka: One of Sri Lanka’s touted pacers and the most expensive player in the LPL Auction, Dilshan Madushanka is a talented swing bowler. But, considering that he has poor death bowling stats, with an economy over 10, it can be said that the Warriors will be using him as a PP enforcer, with Junaid Siddique/Mohammad Jawadullah.

• James Fuller: One of the journeymen T20 cricketers, James Fuller has been preferred in the leagues, as a middle-overs bowling specialist, with some batting cushion. He concedes less than 8 runs/over in the middle overs, which is stunning for a medium pacer and also makes him a crucial cog for the Sharjah-based side, considering the very few good middle-overs bowling options they possess

• Johnson Charles: The versatile batter from St. Lucia, who has reinvented himself, by becoming a flexible batter and having the same ability to score runs at high SR in all those positions, is what makes Charles a unique acquisition for the Warriors, compared to the other top-order batters.

• Kusal Mendis: Kusal is one of those openers, who has adopted the motto to smack the opposition bowling, without any disdain. But, it is surprising to see him get picked here, considering his strength lies in smacking the pacers on true wickets at the start. Even the LPL showed us that his spin game has started to deteriorate. So, his inclusion is surprising, but he’s a quality player nevertheless.

• Lewis Gregory: One of the more touted pace all-rounders in the T20 circuit, Lewis can strike the cricket ball cleanly at the end overs and bowl some overs, though it cannot be relied on much, due to his poor economy. Also, he has the experience and credentials of a T20 captain. He also led the Somerset side to win the T20 Blast this year. Surely a 3-D package for the Warriors.

• Maheesh Theekshana: One of Sri Lanka’s touted T20 stars and an effective spin bowler, Maheesh is one of those few spinners, who bowl tight lines in the PP, cramping the batters for room and not allowing them to hit runs easily. He is also decent enough to bowl middle overs and death overs, but he’s not a wicket-taker. He’s more of an economical bowler restricting batters to score runs.

• Mark Watt: Associate player from Scotland, Watt has been a wonderful PP operator, where he has been economical. Also, he being a left-arm orthodox spinner, ensures that he can be dangerous enough to take wickets by letting them nick the away turning ball or hit the pads.

• Martin Guptill: One of the most experienced T20 batters, Guptill has been a T20 stalwart. But, he has never had great numbers in Asia, especially when the spin comes around. Though he has been picked recently by certain franchises, he hasn’t performed for them at all, whether it is for Quetta Gladiators or the Knight Riders in MLC and CPL. He has been struggling against swing bowlers and later on, against spin, which makes him restricted in terms of run-scoring.

• Qais Ahmad: A young and budding leg spinner from Afghanistan, Qais has been a T20 globetrotter, playing in most of the leagues. A very effective leg spinner, who also has the faster one, which would deceive the batter as well, making him an economical spinner. Also, his batting is quite effective, with the ability to hit some lusty blows.

• Sean Williams: The Zimbabwean skipper has been getting better with the bat, as shown by the way he has batted in the CPL, striking at an SR over 140, showing that he is quite capable of being part of some other T20 leagues as well. So, Sharjah Warriors would also expect him to do the same.

5. Dubai Capitals

Source: ILT20

The new signees for Dubai Capitals are:

• Andrew Tye: Once a death-bowling juggernaut, now his death-bowling skills have been waning, making his bowling vulnerable and in turn, leading him to get fewer T20 contracts or less money. It is surely a surprise to see him getting a contract, considering the Karachi Kings considered him and he got hit plenty on the flat puddings in Rawalpindi.

• Dasun Shanaka: The Sri Lankan captain, Shanaka has been touted as one of the good T20 finishers. He has a 188 SR in the death overs since 2022, indicating the power he can provide to a side when he is on song.

• David Warner: One of the marquee signings for the ILT20, Warner, who has been associated with the Capitals franchise in the IPL, is now with the Dubai Capitals. This move is quite significant, for a side, who relied on some T20 openers last season, who were past their prime in T20. Now they are at least assured that one of their opening batters is set for most matches. Also, he could provide support to Captain Powell, considering the wealth of T20 captaincy experience Warner has. 

• Mark Wood: The fiercest of pacers in modern cricket, with his rapid pace, Wood, at 33, can still be fiery against the best of the batters. Though he is not available for the whole season, he is a great addition to a bowling side, which lacked some bite and needed an X-factor, to outsmart the batting opposition. 

• Max Holden: The best batter for Middlesex in the T20 Blast this season, Max has been quite superb, for them, lifting Middlesex batting most times, on his shoulders, striking at an astounding SR of 185. He was also the 15th-highest run-scorer in the Blast this season. Also, he showcased some good ball-striking ability for the Manchester Originals in the Hundred. 

• Mohammad Mohsin: The Associate player for the Dubai Capitals, Mohsin had helped the TSK side in the MLC, after being included as a last-minute pick. He was effective for TSK, taking wickets at crucial junctures for the side. He could also be in the side, considering that he is the only leg-spinning option available for the Capitals. 

• Nuwan Thushara: Another slingy action bowler from Sri Lanka, Thushara provides some mystery, where some of the inexperienced players, who haven’t faced this kind of bowler, could get foxed easily by his bowling. He has been an effective PP bowler and can also be good at the death, though he still has some way to become a good death bowler. 

• Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Afghanistan’s best-ever T20 batter Gurbaz joins the Dubai Capitals, from the Warriors, and in turn, he would be accompanying Warner to be the most destructive opening pair of the ILT20. He might not be the most consistent of the openers, but he’s still one of the most destructive of them in T20s, dismissing the opposition bowling with disdain. Also, he doubles up as a keeper for the side. 

• Roelof Van Der Merwe: SA20’s leading wicket-taker last season has switched this time to the Dubai Capitals in ILT20, bringing a lot of T20 playing experience. His left-arm spin is quite effective, which is also due to his smarts learned from his experiences. Also, he can bat well, so this aspect cannot be underestimated. 

• Sadeera Samarawickrama: One of the best batters from the LPL, Sadeera has been batting in the middle order, compared to his earlier position of opening the batting. He has re-jigged his approach and now has a lot more calm and composed approach to bat in T20s, playing effective knocks and on the slower surfaces in UAE, a batter like Sadeera would be quite useful. 

• Sam Billings: After the Lahore Qalandars stint in the PSL, Sam Billings has re-invented his approach, batting at a higher SR than earlier, and batting at no.4, playing effective knocks. Also, he is one of the best glovemen available in world cricket. 

6. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders

Source: ILT20

The new signees for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are:

• Brandon McMullen: One of the standout players of the World Cup Qualifiers, the Scottish allrounder McMullen was quite effective, especially with the bat. His T20 numbers suggest that he is more of a batter in T20s, than a bowler. So, this way, the Knight Riders would also expect good returns from the bat, whenever included in the team.

• David Willey: Willey has always been a dark horse in T20 cricket, with his effectiveness in the PP, getting wickets at a good economy rate. Though he is not good at death, he provides another facet of his game, with the help of his powerful batting in the lower-order positions. 

• Jake Lintott: One of the very few good chinaman bowlers, Lintott has been quite good across all T20s, especially for Bears in the Blast. He also provides an X-factor to a bowling attack, with the ability to bamboozle some batters, with their mystery. 

• Josh Little: One of the most improved bowlers, Josh Little has been quite effective at the PP and death, where he bowls economically in the PP and takes wickets at the death, though he might get hit for some in the death. He would form a formidable duo at the death with Ali Khan for the Knight Riders’ side.

• Laurie Evans: One of the versatile batters in the English T20 circuit, Laurie has been batting as an opener for Surrey, batting at high SR and also scoring high scores. He could even be the opener for the Knight Riders, with Joe Clarke. 

• Michael Pepper: Essex batter Pepper has been one of the better batters in the T20 Blast, scoring runs in the PP and middle-overs, at the SR over 140. He could also turn out to be an ideal replacement for one of the top-order batters. 

• Ravi Bopara: One of the most experienced T20 players, Bopara has been re-inventing himself regularly, scoring runs at ease for Sussex, getting wickets with knuckleballs in the Hundred and also has the leadership skills to lead a side. 

• Sam Hain: English county’s greatest batter in all formats, Sam Hain, a very innovative batter, who has all the conventional and even unconventional shots. His performances in the Hundred and T20 Blast were quite effective, leading their sides to go to the Playoffs stage.