International League T20 (ILT20) is a newly introduced cricket league by Emirates Cricket Board that will start in January 2023. This league consists of six teams. Dubai Capitals is owned by GMR Group, which also owns Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. Yusuf Pathan and Robin Uthappa have become part of Dubai Capitals for the first edition of ILT20. Both former Indian players have dominated domestic, international cricket, and IPL.
Uthappa retired from Indian and international cricket to participate in overseas leagues. Now, he is more confident about becoming part of the Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, T1O League, and The Hundreds.
Robin Uthappa added, “It is something I wanted to do [play in overseas T20 leagues]. Now that I have retired, it gives me the opportunity. I am hoping I will [now] be able to go to different parts of the world and play the leagues, not just Dubai, but even outside the subcontinent – hopefully South Africa next year, England (The Hundred), Australia (BBL) and the Caribbean (CPL).”
Why Dubai Capital signs Uthappa & Yusuf Pathan For ILT20 2023 Edition?
Uthappa, 37 years old, played 46 ODIs and 13 T20Is as a batsman in his international cricket career from 2006-15. He was part of six franchises with 205 games in the IPL. Moreover, he scored 4952 runs with the highest score of 88 and strike rate of 130 in his IPL career. He played a key role for Chennai Super Kings through 63 runs from 44 balls in the 1st Qualifier and 31 runs from 15 balls in IPL Final 2021.
Yousuf, 40, served Indian cricket in 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is as a fine all-rounder from 2007 to 2012. He played the role of finisher to help the Rajasthan Royals’ first IPL title by taking 3 crucial wickets and scoring 54 runs to become Man of the Match in the IPL 2008 final versus CSK. Moreover, he also helped Kolkata Knights Riders in 2014 and 2014 to win the titles. His record of smashing 100 runs of 37 as an Indian player in IPL isn’t broken by any other local player. Pathan scored 3204 runs with the highest score of 100 and a strike rate of 143, along with 42 wickets in his IPL career.
Conclusion
The UAE International League T20 team Dubai Capital added Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan to their lineup for the first edition of ILT20 2023. is important to note that active Indian players can’t take part in franchise leagues except IPL, according to the rules of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Therefore, Indian players must be retired from international cricket and the IPL league. Get in touch, and we will keep updating you with the latest news and scorecard of ILT20.