The International League T20 (ILT20) returns for its fourth season, starting 2 December 2025 in the UAE. The opening match will be played in Dubai, where defending champions Dubai Capitals face Desert Vipers – a repeat of last year’s final.
This season is special because the league is happening just 10 months after the previous edition, as it has now moved to a new December-January window ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
With no other major T20 league clashing, player availability is high, and teams have assembled stronger squads. For the first time ever, ILT20 also held a player auction, which brought several big changes across teams.
IPL Window Advantage: Players Eye Big Performances
With the IPL 2026 auction around the corner, several stars will look to impress franchises:
- Naveen-ul-Haq
- Jonny Bairstow
- Tom Banton
- Liam Livingstone
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Jason Holder
Seasoned names such as Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Dasun Shanaka, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson will once again play key leadership roles for their respective sides.
Indian Players to Feature in ILT20 2025-26
Three Indian players will be in action this year:
- Dinesh Karthik
- Piyush Chawla
- Unmukt Chand (now eligible as an overseas player for USA)
ILT20 2025-26: Live Telecast & Streaming in India
Below is the complete broadcast and streaming info:
TV Channels in India
| Channel | Language |
|---|---|
| Zee Cinema HD | Hindi |
| &Pictures SD | Hindi |
| Zee Action | Hindi |
| Zee Thirai SD | Tamil |
| Zee Cinemalu | Telugu |
| &Flix | English |
OTT Streaming
- Zee5 App & Website
- FanCode App & Website
ILT20 2025-26: Match Timings
- Opening Match: 2 December, 8:00 PM IST
- Double-Header Days:
- Afternoon Match: 3:30 PM IST
- Evening Match: 8:00 PM IST
ILT20 2025-26 Teams & Squads
Below is a simplified table summarizing the teams and key players:
Participating Teams & Star Players
| Team | Key Players |
|---|---|
| Dubai Capitals | Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka, Gulbadin Naib, David Willey |
| Desert Vipers | Lockie Ferguson, Sam Curran, Shimron Hetmyer, Naseem Shah |
| Gulf Giants | James Vince, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Moeen Ali, Kyle Mayers |
| Abu Dhabi Knight Riders | Jason Holder, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Liam Livingstone, Unmukt Chand |
| MI Emirates | Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Chris Woakes, Naveen-ul-Haq |
| Sharjah Warriorz | Tim Southee, Sikandar Raza, Tim David, Dinesh Karthik, Matheesha Pathirana |
ILT20 2025-26 Opening Match Preview
- Teams: Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers
- Venue: Dubai International Stadium
- Time: 8:00 PM IST
- Highlight: The clash is a rematch of the last season’s final, making it one of the most anticipated games of the tournament.
