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The anticipation for the second season of the International League T20 (ILT20) is building as the list of high-profile overseas signings has been unveiled. The ILT20, scheduled to commence on January 13, 2024, promises to be a thrilling cricketing extravaganza that will run parallel to the second season of the SA20 league in South Africa.
Among the standout signings are international cricket stalwarts David Warner, Mark Wood and Ambati Rayudu. Warner, who recently took part in the Ashes 2023, is set to join forces with Joe Root at the Dubai Capitals.
The Capitals, known for their powerhouse lineup, have also secured the services of Andrew Tye, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Sam Billings. However, Root and Wood’s participation in the upcoming season might be curtailed due to England’s five-Test tour of India, which is slated to commence on January 25.
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Ambati Rayudu to represent MI Emirates
In a noteworthy move, veteran Indian batter Rayudu, currently making waves in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023, has inked a deal with MI Emirates. The Emirates have bolstered their squad further with signings like Kusal Perera, Akeal Hosein, and Corey Anderson. Meanwhile, Desert Vipers will welcome Shadab Khan, who will be joining his Pakistan compatriots Shaheen Shah Afridi and Azam Khan.
Other teams have also made strategic acquisitions in their bid to claim the ILT20 title. Martin Guptill and Maheesh Theekshana are set to feature for the Sharjah Warriors, while Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have secured the signatures of Joshua Little, Ravi Bopara, and David Willey. Defending champions Gulf Giants have added firepower to their roster with the acquisition of Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Here are the squads of all teams so far:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
New signings: Michael Pepper, Josh Little, Sam Hain, Laurie Evans, David Willey, Brandon McMullen, Jake Lintott, and Ravi Bopara
Retentions: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Joe Clarke, Charith Asalanka, Ali Khan, Matiullah Khan, Marchant de Lange, and Sabir Ali
Desert Vipers
New signings:Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Bas de Leede, Michael Jones, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Adam Hose
Retentions: Ali Naseer, Sheldon Cottrell, Tom Curran, Matheesha Pathirana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sherfane Rutherford, Rohan Mustafa, Colin Munro, Gus Atkinson, Dinesh Chandimal, and Alex Hales
Dubai Capitals
New signings: David Warner, Roelof van der Merwe, Sam Billings, Mark Wood, Mohammad Mohsin, Andrew Tye, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Nuwan Thushara, Max Holden
Retentions: Joe Root, Rovman Powell, Dushmantha Chameera, Sikandar Raza, and Raja Akif
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Gulf Giants
New signings: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Karim Janat, Saurabh Netravalkar, Jordan Cox, Jamie Smith, and Dominic Drakes
Retentions: Chris Lynn, Carlos Brathwaite, Shimron Hetmyer, James Vince, Chris Jordan, Jamie Overton, Richard Gleeson, Gerhard Erasmus, Sanchit Sharma, Rehan Ahmed, and Aayan Afzal Khan
MI Emirates
New signings: Ambati Rayudu, Kusal Perera, Corey Anderson, Akeal Hosein, Odean Smith, Waqar Salamkheil, Nosthush Kenjige, and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth
Retentions: Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Nicholas Pooran, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Jordan Thompson, Daniel Mousley, Zahoor Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Will Smeed, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and McKenny Clarke
Sharjah Warriors
New signings: Johnson Charles, Lewis Gregory, Martin Guptill, Kusal Mendis, Daniel Sams, Sean Williams, James Fuller, Chris Sole, Qais Ahmed, Mark Watt, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dilshan Madhushanka
Retentions: Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Chris Woakes, Joe Denly, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah, and Mark Deya
