ILT20 2022-23: Robin Uthappa joins Dubai Capitals ahead of inaugural season

International League T20 (ILT20) franchise, Dubai Capitals (DC) have officially confirmed acquiring the services of Robin Uthappa ahead of the inaugural season. The first edition of the top-tier league of the middle-east nation was initially scheduled to take place during January and February 2022. However, the competition was rescheduled to commence a year later in January 2023.

The swashbuckling right-hander recently announced his farewell from the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Chennai Super Kings. Uthappa played two seasons for CSK and also won a title by donning the yellow jersey. The former India batter is set to join the Dubai franchise and will look to replicate his success in the ILT20.

As classy as it gets at Dubai Capitals 😍

Here's welcoming 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐞 to our family, now eager to see a few dancing down-the-track shots at the Dubai International 🏟️#ILT20 #ALeagueApart #DubaiCapitals #CapitalsUniverse #GMRGroup #GMRSports @robbieuthappa pic.twitter.com/86AOAI7XCU

— Dubai Capitals (@Dubai_Capitals) December 14, 2022

“As classy as it gets at Dubai Capitals. Here's welcoming 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐞 to our family, now eager to see a few dancing down-the-track shots at the Dubai International,” the franchise shared the joining of Uthappa on their official Twitter handle.

The objective of the league is to provide an opportunity for the local players in UAE to play alongside high-profile players and garner experience. Star players like Kieron Pollard, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Andre Russell, and Eoin Morgan will light up the event and it gets grander with the inclusion of flamboyant India batter Robin Uthappa joining the league.

The format of the event is similar to the IPL wherein each team will play the other twice in a round-robin formt. Following the conclusion of the group stage, the top four teams ranked in the points table will then be matched up to play one eliminator and two qualifiers before the summit clash.

This is a very exciting time for the league: Emirates Cricket Board

Mubashshir Usmani, the General Secretary of the Emirates Cricket Board, expressed his delight in announcing the schedule of the league. He further stated that having the big names playing in the top-tier competition will be ‘exciting’.

“This is a very exciting time for the league and, collectively, we are delighted to announce the 2023 ILT20 playing schedule. To have superstars such as Dubai Capital’s Dasun Shanaka and Abu Dhabi Knight Rider’s Andre Russell open their teams’ accounts is very exciting,” he told.