Wait, why does the desert feel like a party? 

Because the carnival is starting! UAE’s biggest T20 tournament is here. It is that time of the year, the second season of the ILT20 is a day away, and it’s officially time to light up the desert and paint it Blue and Gold. Six teams, three venues, and a month-long extravaganza is upon us. 

What happened in season 1?

It started off brilliantly for us, with MI Emirates winning their first three games easily, before a slight blip in the second half of the league stage where we lost a bit of consistency. But we snuck into the Eliminator, won it in style, but fell just short in the second Qualifier. Muhammad Waseem was in dreamy touch with the bat, Andre Fletcher kept tonking them around, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo turned the clock back sending us fans into a nostalgia overdrive, and Imran Tahir was unplayable as usual. 

I’m already excited. What’s the format? 

34 games. Each team plays the other twice in a home and away format, followed by the play-offs. 

What’s new this time around?

Two things – the Super-Sub and the wildcard

* Super-Sub: Here’s what the league rules state: Each team will have an option to substitute one player at any stage of the match after completion of the first over of the innings. If desired by the team, Super-Sub can be introduced right from the start of the second innings. A player once substituted cannot participate in the remaining part of the match. The Head Coach shall nominate the Super-Sub to the fourth umpire and the on-field umpire will signal the scorers (wrists crossed above the head) indicating that the Super-Sub is being introduced. 

The Super-Sub can be introduced after the start of the match or after completion of an over or in case of a batter, at the fall of the wicket or the batter retiring at any time during the over. The bowling team may also utilise a Super-Sub at the fall of a wicket, but that Super-Sub will not be permitted to bowl the remaining balls in that over if the wicket has fallen mid over.

* Wildcard: Here’s the rulebook on the same: Each franchise is permitted to add up to two additional players to its squad, beyond the original limit of 22 players. This is an option and not mandatory. If franchises have already reached the maximum $2.5m salary spend, they will be permitted to spend a maximum of 10% of the salary cap which is $250,000 on Wildcard players. 

If teams still have some room within the original maximum $2.5m salary spend, they will be able to spend that remaining amount and if required, a further amount up to $250,000, while remaining within the Wildcard player spend.

Wildcard players may come into DP World ILT20 at any stage during the season. Wildcard players will not be eligible to be replaced by further replacement or Wildcard players.

Okay, that sorted, tell me about MI Emirates

With our home at the beautiful Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, MI Emirates, a sister franchise of the Mumbai Indians #OneFamily, is all set to take the field under the leadership of the dynamic Nicholas Pooran, fresh from playing arguably his greatest T20 innings to lead MI New York to the MLC trophy. 

There’s Trent Boult to swing it around hoops, DJ Bravo to unleash his array of variations and then unleash his dance moves, our very own Ambati Rayudu and Corey Anderson coming back to the Blue and Gold, and obviously, a host of young talents waiting to spring to stardom. 

Quick, tell me how and where I mark my calendar

You might have to tackle your SA20 viewing time. Don’t stop your cheering for MI Cape Town though. But here’s our league schedule:

Jan 20, 2024 | 6:30pm GST, 8:00pm IST | Dubai - Dubai Capitals vs MI Emirates

Jan 21, 2024 | 6:30pm GST, 8:00pm IST | Abu Dhabi – MI Emirates vs Gulf Giants 

Jan 23, 2024 | 6:30pm GST, 8:00pm IST |Abu Dhabi - AD Knight Riders vs MI Emirates 

Jan 26, 2024 | 6:30pm GST, 8:00pm IST | Sharjah – Sharjah Warriors vs MI Emirates 

Jan 28, 2024 | 2:30pm GST, 4:00pm IST | Abu Dhabi – MI Emirates vs AD Knight Riders 

Jan 30, 2024 | 6:30pm GST, 8:00pm IST | Dubai – Desert Vipers vs MI Emirates 

Feb 2, 2024 | 6:30pm GST, 8:00pm IST | Abu Dhabi – Sharjah Warriors vs Abu Dhabi 

Feb 4, 2024 | 2:30pm GST, 4:00pm IST | Abu Dhabi – MI Emirates vs Desert Vipers 

Feb 8, 2024 | 6:30pm GST, 8:00pm IST | Dubai – Gulf Giants vs MI Emirates 

Feb 10, 2024 | 6:30pm GST, 8:00pm IST | Abu Dhabi – MI Emirates vs Dubai Capitals 

What’s the winning prize?

A glittering trophy, the bragging rights, and a grand 700,000 USD for the winning team.