As the ILT20 gears up for its fourth season starting December 2, several marquee players have been retained by their franchises after making major impacts in previous editions, especially Season 3.Among the biggest names, Sam Curran stood out as Season 3’s Red Belt Winner (Most Valuable Player). The England all-rounder scored 387 runs, including several clutch performances for Desert Vipers. He was supported by Wanindu Hasaranga, who delivered consistently with both bat and ball, underlining his value as a premier T20 all-rounder.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Shai Hope, retained by Dubai Capitals, was the standout batter of Season 3, earning the Green Belt after amassing a tournament-best 527 runs. His teammate Rovman Powell played a match-winning 63 in the final, while Sikandar Raza, the 2023 MVP (Season 2 Red Belt winner), sealed the title with an explosive 34 not out off 12 balls in the final, cementing his status as one of the league’s most reliable finishers.
ILT20 Season 4 – players rejoining their Season 3 teams:
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Phil Salt and Sunil Narine.
- Desert Vipers: Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran and Wanindu Hasaranga.
- Dubai Capitals: Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Gulbadin Naib, Rovmann Powell and Shai Hope.
- Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince and Mark Adair.
- MI Emirates: AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kusal Perera, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton and Muhammad Waseem.
- Sharjah Warriorz: Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis, Tim Southee and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
ILT20 Season 4 – new signings:
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Alex Hales, Liam Livingstone and Sherfane Rutherford.
- Desert Vipers: Andries Gous.
- Dubai Capitals: Luke Wood, Waqar Salamkheil and Muhammad Jawadullah.
- Gulf Giants: Azmatullah Omarzai, Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
- MI Emirates: Chris Woakes and Kamindu Mendis.
- Sharjah Warriorz: Maheesh Theekshana, Sikandar Raza, Saurabh Netravalkar and Tim David.
Pace ace Fazalhaq Farooqi of MI Emirates claimed the White Belt as the best bowler in Season 3, taking a tournament-high 21 wickets and making his overall number touch 50. His accuracy with the new ball and at the death made him indispensable.Veteran opener Alex Hales, now with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, continued his prolific run in the league. With 1,156 career ILT20 runs, including 405 last season, Hales remains the league’s all-time leading run-scorer. Fellow Englishman Phil Salt, who returns to ADKR, contributed brisk top-order runs with a strike rate of over 150.
Poll
Which new signing are you most excited to see in action?
Australia’s Tim David, now signed by Sharjah Warriorz, brings experience and power-hitting depth. Though his Season 3 numbers were modest, he remains a proven T20 finisher globally.New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson, having clinched 20 wickets in 10 matches last season, re-joins the Vipers after playing a crucial role in the 2025 campaign, providing early breakthroughs and pace aggression.These core performers not only showcased world-class talent last season but also played pivotal roles in high-pressure moments. With strong retention strategies and new signings yet to be added through the upcoming auction, ILT20 Season 4 is shaping up to be the tournament’s most competitive edition yet.
