The upcoming ILT20 Season 4 is already shaping up as a watershed moment in Gulf-region cricket. As the league transitions from drafts to its first-ever auction, two major moves have grabbed headlines: Dinesh Karthik’s signing by Sharjah Warriorz, and Saudi Arabia’s formal entry into franchise cricket through a partnership with ILT20.
These developments — along with R. Ashwin’s high base price, squad retentions, and new rules — set the stage for one of the most competitive editions yet.
Saudi Arabia Joins ILT20: A Strategic Partnership
Kingdom Granted Hosting & Official League Status
The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation (SACF) has formally sanctioned and licensed the DP World ILT20 as an official T20 league within Saudi Arabia. This means future editions will include matches hosted in the Kingdom, for both men’s and women’s cricket.
A requirement in this season: each franchise must include at least one Saudi player in their squad, giving homegrown talent a direct inroad. Over time, the league also plans development tournaments inside Saudi Arabia to feed the main event.
This marks Saudi Arabia’s bold pivot into mainstream cricket, aligning with regional ambitions to grow the game across the Gulf.
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Dinesh Karthik Breaks In: Sharjah Warriorz’s Surprise Move
In a surprising pre-auction development, Dinesh Karthik has been signed by Sharjah Warriorz as a replacement for Kusal Mendis. This move adds further star power to the league, especially considering Karthik’s veteran status and ability to contribute as a finisher and mentor to younger players.
The decision to bring in Karthik before the auction signals that franchises are not holding back — even pre-auction picks carry strategy and impact.
Auction 2025: The Rules, The Stars, The Stakes
Auction Date, Format & Player Pool
- Date: 1 October 2025
- Venue: Dubai, UAE
- Player Pool: 196 shortlisted cricketers
- A minimum of 11 players per franchise (66 total) must be acquired via the auction
- Teams may also sign up to 2 wildcard players outside the auction (each costing up to USD 250,000)
Purse, Salary Cap & Restrictions
- Team Salary Cap: USD 2 million
- Wildcard allowance: Additional acquisition beyond the auction
- Saudi player mandate: Every franchise must pick at least one Saudi national
Squads Before Auction (Retained / Pre-signed)
| Team | Retained / Pre-signed Players |
|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, Alex Hales, Liam Livingstone, Sherfane Rutherford |
| Desert Vipers | Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Andries Gous |
| Dubai Capitals | Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Gulbadin Naib, Rovman Powell, Shai Hope, Luke Wood, Waqar Salamkheil, Muhammad Jawadullah |
| Gulf Giants | Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Mark Adair, Azmatullah Omarzai, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| MI Emirates | AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kusal Perera, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Muhammad Waseem, Chris Woakes, Kamindu Mendis |
| Sharjah Warriorz | Johnson Charles, Tim Southee, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Maheesh Theekshana, Sikandar Raza, Saurabh Netravalkar, Tim David, Dinesh Karthik |
Auction Entry: R. Ashwin
The most talked-about name in the player pool is Ravichandran Ashwin, who has set a base price of USD 120,000 — the highest in the auction. Having retired from international and IPL cricket, Ashwin’s entry now provides teams an opportunity to bid for a seasoned match-winner who can spin games, mentor younger bowlers, and draw fans.
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What Makes This Season Different?
- First-ever auction model replaces the draft, bringing more drama and strategy
- Saudi Arabia’s formal inclusion: Every team must draft a Saudi player
- Star power meets structure: With pre-retentions like Sam Curran, Andre Russell, Moeen Ali, and new entrants like Ashwin and Karthik, the balance of squads is more acute
- Strategic squad building: The USD 2 million cap will force teams to prioritize specialities — the best finishers, death bowlers, and multipurpose all-rounders
- Cross-border expansion: Hosting matches in Saudi Arabia and integrating local players could redefine the Gulf cricket map
What to Watch in the Auction & Season Ahead
- How high will Ashwin go? Will he break records or be contested fiercely?
- Saudi Players’ Fate: Which local players will get picked, and how will franchises balance them with foreign stars?
- Karthik’s Impact: How Sharjah Warriorz leverage his experience and finishing skills
- Wildcard Plays: Teams may use wildcard slots to swoop up bargains or niche specialists
- Team Strategy: Will teams go heavy on spin, fast bowling, batting depth—or balance all three?
- Gulf Rivalries: As Saudi Arabia enters as a host and partner, local rivalries may extend beyond the UAE.
ILT20 Season 4 is no longer just another T20 league. With Saudi Arabia’s strategic partnership, Dinesh Karthik’s high-profile inclusion, and the first-ever auction format crowned by Ashwin’s headline entry, this edition could reshape how cricket grows in the Gulf.
All eyes now turn to Dubai on 1 October 2025, when franchises reveal their strategies and fight to build squads capable of claiming the trophy come 4 January 2026.
