Will Dubai Capitals and Desert Vipers Reignite Their Rivalry in ILT20 Season 4?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- ILC20 Season 4 kicks off on December 2.
- Defending champions Dubai Capitals face Desert Vipers.
- League stage runs until December 28.
- Final match scheduled for January 4.
- Player auction on September 30.
Dubai, Sep 3 (NationPress) The highly anticipated fourth season of the ILT20 is set to kick off with a thrilling rematch of last year's championship game, featuring the reigning champions Dubai Capitals against the Desert Vipers in Dubai on December 2.
The league phase is scheduled to run until December 28, incorporating four exciting double-header days into the lineup. The Sharjah Warriorz will take on the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on December 3 in Sharjah, while the Gulf Giants will face off against MI Emirates starting their campaign on December 4 in Dubai.
Last season, the Dubai Capitals triumphed as champions, clinching a four-wicket victory over the Vipers with just four balls to spare, amid an enthusiastic crowd of 25,000 fans. Previous champions of this six-team competition include MI Emirates in 2024 and Gulf Giants in the inaugural 2023 season.
The knockout rounds will commence with Qualifier 1 on December 30 in Abu Dhabi, while the Eliminator (pitting Team 3 against Team 4 from the points table) will unfold on January 1 in Dubai. Qualifier 2 will take place in Sharjah on January 2, featuring the loser of Qualifier 1 against the winner of the Eliminator.
The season finale is set to be an exhilarating climax, taking place at the Dubai International Stadium on January 4 at 6:30 pm local time.
Matches will be hosted at the same three venues as previous seasons: Dubai International Cricket Stadium will feature 15 matches, Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host eight games, and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will have 11 matches on the schedule.
Before the season kicks off, a player auction will be conducted on September 30 in Dubai, with the six franchises collectively having a budget of 4.8 million USD to spend. The deadline for players to register for the auction is September 10, with notable potential participants such as former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has recently concluded his illustrious IPL career.