Check the complete ILT20 Teams 2026/27 guide with all six teams, captains, squads, star players, and updated ILT20 2026/27 All Teams Players List.
The upcoming International League T20 season is set to feature some of the biggest names in world cricket. Fans are eagerly waiting for the latest ILT20 Teams 2026-27 updates as franchises prepare their squads for another exciting tournament in the UAE.
The league has quickly grown into one of the most competitive T20 tournaments outside India. With international stars, experienced captains, and talented young players, the ILT20 2026/27 All Teams lineup promises high quality cricket from start to finish.
This season will once again feature six franchise teams representing different UAE cities. The teams for the 2026 to 27 season are Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriorz, all competing for the championship title in an action-packed tournament.
ILT20 Teams 2026/27
The International League T20 features six franchises competing across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Each team includes overseas stars along with UAE based cricketers, making the tournament both competitive and diverse.
List of ILT20 2026-27 Teams
| Team | Home Venue |
|---|---|
| MI Emirates | Abu Dhabi |
| Dubai Capitals | Dubai |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Abu Dhabi |
| Gulf Giants | Dubai |
| Desert Vipers | Sharjah |
| Sharjah Warriorz | Sharjah |
1. MI Emirates
MI Emirates is one of the strongest and most successful teams in the DP World ILT20, representing Abu Dhabi in the UAE’s premier T20 league. The franchise is owned by Indiawin Sports, the same owners behind the famous Mumbai Indians, and plays its home matches at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
Known for its powerful squad and aggressive style of cricket, MI Emirates won the ILT20 title in 2024 and quickly became a fan-favorite team in the tournament. The team features a balanced mix of experienced international stars and talented UAE players, making them one of the most dangerous sides in the competition. Nicholas Pooran leads the team with his explosive batting and smart leadership, while Robin Singh serves as head coach.
MI Emirates Captain
The captain of MI Emirates is Nicholas Pooran.
MI Emirates Players List 2026-27
| No. | Player Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kieron Pollard |
| 2 | Akeal Hosein |
| 3 | Ambati Rayudu |
| 4 | Andre Fletcher |
| 5 | Corey Anderson |
| 6 | Daniel Mousley |
| 7 | Dwayne Bravo |
| 8 | Fazalhaq Farooqi |
| 9 | Jordan Thompson |
| 10 | Kusal Perera |
| 11 | Mckenny Clarke |
| 12 | Muhammad Waseem |
| 13 | Nicholas Pooran (Captain) |
| 14 | Nosthush Kenjige |
| 15 | Odean Smith |
| 16 | Trent Boult |
| 17 | Vijayakanth Viyaskanth |
| 18 | Waqar Salamkheil |
| 19 | Will Smeed |
| 20 | Zahoor Khan |
2. Dubai Capitals
Dubai Capitals is one of the most exciting teams in the DP World ILT20, representing Dubai in the UAE’s top T20 franchise league. Since joining the tournament in 2023, the team has quickly built a strong reputation with consistent performances and a powerful squad filled with international stars and talented local players.
Owned by the GMR Group, Dubai Capitals play their home matches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, one of the biggest cricket venues in the country. After finishing as runners-up in the 2024 season, Dubai Capitals bounced back strongly to win their first ILT20 title in 2025, proving themselves as one of the top teams in the competition. The side is coached by Hemang Badani and led by experienced wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings.
Dubai Capitals Captain
The captain of Dubai Capitals is Sam Billings.
Dubai Capitals Players List 2026-27
| No. | Player Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | David Warner |
| 2 | Andrew Tye |
| 3 | Dasun Shanaka |
| 4 | Dushmantha Chameera |
| 5 | Joe Root |
| 6 | Mark Wood |
| 7 | Max Holden |
| 8 | Muhammad Mohsin |
| 9 | Nawan Thushara |
| 10 | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| 11 | Raja Akif |
| 12 | Rovman Powell |
| 13 | Roelof van der Merwe |
| 14 | Sadeera Samarawickrama |
| 15 | Sam Billings |
| 16 | Sikandar Raza |
3. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders is a popular franchise team in the DP World ILT20, representing Abu Dhabi in the UAE’s premier T20 cricket league. Owned by the famous Knight Riders Group, the team plays its home matches at Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. Since joining the tournament in 2023, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have gained attention for their explosive players, aggressive style of cricket, and strong international lineup.
The team is led by experienced all-rounder Sunil Narine and coached by former West Indies star Dwayne Bravo. ADKR features a balanced squad with powerful hitters, quality bowlers, and talented all-rounders, making them a dangerous side in the competition.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Captain
The captain of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for the 2026-27 ILT20 season is Sunil Narine.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Players List 2026-27
| No. | Player Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sunil Narine |
| 2 | Ali Khan |
| 3 | Andre Russell |
| 4 | Brandon McMullen |
| 5 | Charith Asalanka |
| 6 | David Willey |
| 7 | Jake Lintott |
| 8 | Joe Clarke |
| 9 | Josh Little |
| 10 | Laurie Evans |
| 11 | Marchant de Lange |
| 12 | Matiullah Khan |
| 13 | Michael Pepper |
| 14 | Ravi Bopara |
| 15 | Sabir Ali |
| 16 | Sam Hussain |
4. Gulf Giants
Gulf Giants is one of the strongest teams in the DP World ILT20, representing Dubai in the UAE’s premier T20 franchise league. Owned by Adani Sportsline, a part of the Adani Group, the franchise was launched in 2022 and quickly became one of the most successful teams in the tournament. Gulf Giants play their home matches at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, a world-class venue known for hosting major cricket events.
The team enjoyed a dream debut season in 2023 by winning the first-ever ILT20 title after defeating Desert Vipers in the final. They continued their strong performances in later seasons and remained one of the top playoff contenders in the league. The team has also been guided by top coaches such as Andy Flower and Jonathan Trott, helping create a winning culture within the franchise.
Gulf Giants Captain
The captain of Gulf Giants for the 2026-27 ILT20 season is James Vince.
Gulf Giants Players List 2026-27
| No. | Player Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | James Vince |
| 2 | Aayan Afzal Khan |
| 3 | Carlos Brathwaite |
| 4 | Chris Jordan |
| 5 | Chris Lynn |
| 6 | Dominic Drakes |
| 7 | Gerhard Erasmus |
| 8 | Jamie Overton |
| 9 | Jamie Smith |
| 10 | Jordan Cox |
| 11 | Karim Janat |
| 12 | Mohammad Zohaib Zubair |
| 13 | Mujeeb Ur Rahman |
| 14 | Rehan Ahmed |
| 15 | Richard Gleeson |
| 16 | Sanchit Sharma |
| 17 | Saurabh Netravalkar |
| 18 | Shimron Hetmyer |
| 19 | Usman Khan |
5. Desert Vipers
Desert Vipers is one of the most competitive teams in the DP World ILT20, representing Sharjah in the UAE’s premier T20 cricket league. Established in 2022 as one of the founding franchises of the tournament, the team quickly became a strong contender with consistent performances since the first season in 2023.
Owned by Lancer Capital, the Desert Vipers play their home matches at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, one of the most historic cricket venues in the world. The team is coached by James Foster and led by experienced New Zealand batter Colin Munro for the 2026 to 27 season.
Desert Vipers have built a powerful squad filled with world-class players, combining explosive batting with quality bowling and strong all-round options. Desert Vipers finished as runners-up in the inaugural ILT20 season in 2023 and have remained one of the strongest teams in the competition ever since.
Desert Vipers Captain
The captain of Desert Vipers for the 2025 to 26 ILT20 season is Colin Munro.
Desert Vipers Players List 2026-27
| No. | Player Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Colin Munro |
| 2 | Alex Hales |
| 3 | Adam Hose |
| 4 | Ali Naseer |
| 5 | Aryan Lakra |
| 6 | Azam Khan |
| 7 | Bas de Leede |
| 8 | Dinesh Chandimal |
| 9 | Gus Atkinson |
| 10 | Karthik Meiyappan |
| 11 | Luke Wood |
| 12 | Matheesha Pathirana |
| 13 | Michael Jones |
| 14 | Rohan Mustafa |
| 15 | Shadab Khan |
| 16 | Shaheen Shah Afridi |
| 17 | Sheldon Cottrell |
| 18 | Sherfane Rutherford |
| 19 | Tom Curran |
| 20 | Wanindu Hasaranga |
6. Sharjah Warriorz
Sharjah Warriorz is an exciting franchise team in the DP World ILT20, representing Sharjah in the UAE’s premier T20 cricket league. Owned by Capri Global, the team plays its home matches at the famous Sharjah Cricket Stadium, a venue known for hosting some of the most memorable T20 matches in cricket history.
The team is coached by former South African star JP Duminy and led by experienced New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee for the 2026-27 ILT20 season. Sharjah Warriorz have created a balanced squad with explosive batters, quality all-rounders, and skilled bowlers capable of competing against the best teams in the tournament.
Sharjah Warriorz Captain
The captain of Sharjah Warriorz for the 2025 to 26 ILT20 season is Tim Southee.
Sharjah Warriorz Players List 2026-27
| No. | Player Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Kohler-Cadmore |
| 2 | Martin Guptill |
| 3 | Basil Hameed |
| 4 | Chris Sole |
| 5 | Chris Woakes |
| 6 | Daniel Sams |
| 7 | Dilshan Madushanka |
| 8 | James Fuller |
| 9 | Joe Denly |
| 10 | Johnson Charles |
| 11 | Junaid Siddique |
| 12 | Kusal Mendis |
| 13 | Lewis Gregory |
| 14 | Mahesh Theekshana |
| 15 | Mark Deyal |
| 16 | Mark Watt |
| 17 | Muhammad Jawadullah |
| 18 | Nilansh Keswani |
| 19 | Qais Ahmad |
| 20 | Sean Williams |
Star Players to Watch in ILT20 2026/27
The new season is expected to feature several match winning players across all teams. These players bring international experience and can change games within a few overs.
Some of the biggest stars include:
- Nicholas Pooran
- Andre Russell
- David Warner
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Alex Hales
- Sunil Narine
- James Vince
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Trent Boult
- Sikandar Raza
Conclusion
The ILT20 Teams lineup for the 2026/27 season looks stronger than ever. With six competitive franchises, experienced captains, and world class international stars, fans can expect another thrilling edition of the International League T20.
From explosive batting to quality fast bowling and spin attacks, the ILT20 2026/27 All Teams Players List shows why the tournament continues to grow in popularity around the world.
FAQs
How many teams are playing in ILT20 2026/27?
Six teams will participate in the International League T20 2026/27 season.
Which teams are part of ILT20 2026/27?
The teams are MI Emirates, Dubai Capitals, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Gulf Giants, Desert Vipers, and Sharjah Warriorz.
Who is the captain of MI Emirates?
Nicholas Pooran is expected to captain MI Emirates.
Which ILT20 team has Shaheen Shah Afridi?
Shaheen Shah Afridi is part of the Desert Vipers squad.
Which team won the first ILT20 title?
Gulf Giants won the inaugural ILT20 championship.
Where will ILT20 2026/27 matches be played?
Matches will be hosted across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah in the UAE.
