Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The DP World International League T20 will break new ground this week with its first-ever player auction, a format shift that has already captured global attention.
And as much as the auction rules, it is the entry of Indian names – Ravichandran Ashwin and Dinesh Karthik – that has set the stage for Season 4 of the UAE’s flagship cricket league.
Ashwin, who recently retired from Indian cricket, has placed himself in the auction pool, openly embracing what he called a new challenge in his career. In an interview with the Times of India, the 38-year-old spinner said he was “keen to bring his experience both on and off the field” and is open to exploring a player-coach role if a franchise requires.
Karthik, meanwhile, has already signed with Sharjah Warriors as a direct replacement for Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis. The 39-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, one of the most dynamic finishers in the IPL over the past decade, will line up under coach JP Duminy.
The Indian arrivals mark a breakthrough. “It’s the first time a player of that stature would have retired from Indian cricket and played in an overseas league,” said Phil Oliver, CEO of Desert Vipers, one of ILT20’s six franchises. “So it’s a significant moment if Ashwin does get picked up, that’s for sure.”
The buzz around Ashwin’s inclusion is matched by the intrigue of how franchises will approach the auction itself. Each team can choose whether to pursue players through the hammer or use their two wildcard slots to sign them directly. For Oliver, that balance is central to strategy.
“The direct signing route means you guarantee your player,” he explained. “But there is also the opportunity to pick up bargains on auction day when players have their reserve price and they might not attract too many bids. I think having the mixture actually works quite well for all the teams.”
Desert Vipers, finalists last season, already moved early to secure Shimron Hetmyer as a wildcard signing and retained much of their core.
“We wanted to retain as many players as we could from what was a pretty successful squad last season,” Oliver said. “So I think it’s fair to say we probably have slightly less work to do than some of the other franchises on auction day. But that’s not to say we don’t have important pieces of the jigsaw to fit in.”
The rules of the auction extend beyond internationals. Each squad must include four UAE players, two from associate nations, and at least one each from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. That requirement is not cosmetic, Oliver insisted, but part of a long-term regional vision.
“For ILT20 to be giving Saudi players the first real platform in a major franchise event is a big breakthrough,” he said. “It’s not to be underestimated. We’re all looking forward to having Saudi cricketers as part of the squads and helping them accelerate their development.”
The Saudi link has grown stronger after ILT20 signed a formal partnership with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation, paving the way for matches to be staged in the Kingdom in future seasons.
Oliver believes this is one of the most exciting steps for the tournament. “Three seasons in to have an auction is exciting. But the fact that we are bringing players from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia into the league is, I think, the most exciting thing. It gives us a real long-term growth opportunity to be the main franchise cricket in the region.”
The Vipers have also underlined their commitment to community development through a talent pathway program for boys and girls in the UAE, designed to create a stronger domestic base.
“Community is a very important part of what we do,” Oliver said. “Representation of that in terms of elite cricket is this talent pathway that is newly being launched.”
For now, though, the spotlight remains firmly on the auction floor. With Ashwin testing uncharted waters and Karthik already signed, the 2025 edition of ILT20 promises to be remembered as the year Indian stars crossed over - and the Gulf’s franchise league found a new gear.
