New Delhi, Dec 2 (NationPress) JP Duminy, the newly appointed head coach of the Sharjah Warriorz for the upcoming ILT20 tournament, expressed that the performances in this competition, commencing on Tuesday, will significantly impact the selection process for players aspiring to represent their nations in next year’s T20 World Cup.

This fourth season of the ILT20 has been rescheduled to prevent overlap with the T20 World Cup, which is slated for February 7 to March 8, 2026, in India and Sri Lanka. Duminy stated, “Every opportunity that international cricketers get will be pivotal, especially with some real superstars participating in this tournament who have already made significant contributions to international cricket.”

He continued, “This will undoubtedly benefit their careers and chances for selection, especially for those not yet picked for international matches. The level of competition here is exceptionally high, featuring many skilled players both current and past.”

Additionally, he commented on the auction’s uniqueness, which creates an equal playing field for all teams and helps strategize combinations needed to win the championship. From an international perspective, he believes this will have a profound impact leading into the World Cup, as communicated during a virtual interaction facilitated by the Sharjah Warriorz.

The team captain, former New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee, concurred with Duminy, stating, “Any player looking to be part of the World Cup or any T20 matches leading up to it will undoubtedly enhance their game.”

“Therefore, this tournament, along with others globally prior to the T20 World Cup, is crucial for those involved,” he added.

The Warriorz features talents such as Adil Rashid, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Taskin Ahmed, Tim David, Mark Chapman, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Harmeet Singh, Saurabh Netravalkar, and Shubham Ranjane, all vying for a spot in the T20 World Cup by excelling in the ILT20. Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik echoed similar sentiments, stating, “I share the thoughts expressed by JP and Tim.”

Before the fourth season, the ILT20 announced a collaboration with the cricket associations of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to promote cricket in the Gulf region. As part of this initiative, six young players from each nation were signed by the six franchises during the recent auction.

Duminy praised this development, highlighting it as a crucial move towards integrating emerging talent from these regions into the league, serving as vital mentors in shaping young players' skills and mindsets for future success in the sport.

“Consider the impact of the IPL on India's international cricket and how T20 leagues worldwide have influenced cricket standards. The exposure to diverse coaching styles and leadership has been transformative,” he remarked.

“This presents a significant opportunity for both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for exposure. I embrace the chance to influence and nurture the game globally. Even small interactions can have a lasting impact on players, helping them return to their teams with newfound insights that positively influence their game,” he asserted.

“I am a strong advocate for the league's expansion of thought processes. We also have players from Sierra Leone and Botswana gaining exposure with our team. There’s a genuine commitment to growing the game, and we will continue to champion this initiative forward,” he concluded.