- July 8, 2025
The ILT20 is making a return and throwing curveballs before a ball is even bowled. The league is preparing for its fourth edition in December, and the pre-season excitement is ramping up following some blockbuster signings. MI Emirates have secured the services of English all-rounder Chris Woakes and Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis, while Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are going full English breakfast, signing Liam Livingstone and Alex Hales.
MI Emirates Just Got a Whole Lot Smarter
Let’s not kid ourselves – MI Emirates was already a strong unit, but Chris Woakes is like rocket fuel for a race car. Woakes brings more than just a seam-up bowler. He brings additional batting depth, he brings leadership in clutch moments, and he provides the calm necessary when the going gets messy.
With Fazalhaq Farooqi already entrenched in the pace department and Romario Shepherd providing useful options as both a bowler and batter, Woakes represents a three-dimensional upgrade for MI. He’s the type of player who can swing the ball in the powerplay, score runs at No. 7 when a big partnership is needed, and remain calm in any situation (even in a super-over). MI now looks to have all bases covered alongside the destructive Muhammad Waseem, and valuable experienced Kusal Perera, all even before the auction.
Kamindu Mendis shouldn’t be forgotten either. The ambidextrous sensation might be just the wildcard every team in this league hopes for—bowling both ways, and is as cool as a cat with the bat. Expect MI to trial him and the odd match-up-buster in the middle overs.
Hales & Livingstone Ignite Knight Riders’ Firepower for the Season
The Knight Riders didn’t just sign two players in Abu Dhabi; they signed statements of intent. Expect fireworks when Hales and Livingstone walk out – all style, all muscle, and all in. Combine Sunil Narine’s trickery, Russell’s thunderous energy, and Salt’s tactical fit, and what you get is a team that screams T20 fantasy perfection.
Livingstone’s all-around ability and explosive hitting are exactly the type of player that a Knight Rider looks fit for, especially on UAE surfaces where it’s spin-tastic, and back-end opportunities to accelerate are worth their weight in gold. Hales brings top-order stability with the ability to go completely ballistic when required. These two are a perfect combination like Kokorec and Sumac; tasty, dangerous, and always an experience.
The Auction Twist: A Gamechanger for Strategy
ILT20 is breaking new ground. For the first time, teams won’t just depend on direct signings; they’ll be competing in an authentic player auction. With 8 players to be allowed as retentions/signings and a salary cap of $2 million, smart buying can be the difference between the champions and the could-have-been.
Franchises such as MI Emirates and ADKR have already laid strong foundations, but how they fill the remaining spots this season will determine their fortunes for the upcoming season. Expect bidding wars for marquee players and headline steals that you would not believe by the time January comes around.
With Woakes, Mendis, Livingstone, and Hales joining the roster, ILT20 Season 4 is set to be the most competitive it has ever been. The preseason shakeup is already providing absolute drama, and we haven’t even reached the auction yet. Are they early signings for title ambitions or is there much more to come?
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