DP World ILT20: ILT20 is the Cup to win before the World Cup, say team skippers — Here's what the players said in tournament curtain-raiser

DP World ILT20: DP World ILT20 is all set to begin on Friday, January 19, and with just one day to go, the players and captains of the respective teams addressed the press and media in a conference at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday, January 18.

The conference was presented by Laura McGoldrick, who is New Zealand's cricketer Martin Guptill's wife, who welcomed the players from each franchise. 

From the defending champion, Gulf Giants' Chris Lynn, who was present in place of their skipper James Vince, along with last season's runners-up, Desert Vipers' captain Colin Munro.

Dubai Capitals' Sam Billings was present in place of their captain David Warner, and MI Emirates' captain Nicholas Pooran, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders' captain Sunil Narine, and Sharjah Warriors' captain Tom Kohler Cadmore were also present at the conference to address the media.
Former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar was also there, who is also the ambassador as well as a member of the commentary panel for season 2 of ILT20.

Talking about their plans to defend the trophy, Chris Lynn of the Gulf Giants, said, "I am sitting here in place of James Vince; he led the team well last year. Coach Andy Flowers, wherever he goes, seems to win trophies, so we wouldn't change too much. Obviously, our method worked; our blueprint worked last year, so it's all about just executing that in the game." He added that they have had a few changes in the squad, but they will still follow the blueprint from last year.

When asked if he would open for his team, considering he has opened the innings earlier for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, Knight Riders' Captain Sunil Narine replied, "I think it is based on our strategy and how the tournament goes, so I think only time will tell based on how the games are going, and if needed, sure, I will (open). So, if the team needs me, I do it; other than that, we will see how it happens."

When asked about how important tournaments like the ILT20 are given that the T20 World Cup is coming up, Sam Billings said, "I think it is important for everyone. Of course, (people) judge bad performances, and there is so much cricket going on now that situations can change very rapidly. There are a lot of players in this competition that want to put their case forward to playing in the World Cup."

MI Emirates skipper Nicholas Pooran agreed when questioned if the pitches in the UAE will help in the preparation for the T20 World Cup, and added, "Early on in the tournament, it definitely swings a lot here, but as the tournament goes along, the wickets get slower here in the UAE. And it's going to be similar to what the World Cup will have in the Caribbean." He also added that it would benefit a lot of players who will be taking part in the World Cup.

The tournament will start on January 19, 2024, with the defending champions, the Gulf Giants, going against the Sharjah Warriors in Sharjah. The tournament will feature six teams, with a total of 34 matches to be played across the UAE.

The DP World ILT20 will also feature some of the biggest cricketers in the world, including the likes of David Warner, Dasun Shanaka, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sam Billings, David Willey, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Alex Hales, Tom Curran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, James Vince, Ambati Rayudu, Corey Anderson, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Chris Woakes, and Martin Guptill.

The matches will be broadcast live on ZEE’s 10 linear TV channels and free-to-view streaming on the ZEE5 app and website. The commentary will be available in both English and Hindi.

DP World ILT20: When can you watch DP World ILT20 matches? Match Date

DP World ILT20 is set to start on Friday, January 19, 2024, and end on Saturday, February 17, 2024.

DP World ILT20: When will the DP World ILT20 matches start? Match Time in IST

DP World ILT20 single-header matches will start at 8 PM IST, while the double-header matches will start at 4 PM IST.

DP World ILT20: Where can fans watch the live broadcast of the DP World ILT20?

Fans can watch the live broadcast of DP World ILT20 on Zee's 10 linear channels: &Pictures, &Pictures HD, Zee Cinema HD, Zee Anmol Cinema, Zee Zest, Zee Ganga, Zee Cinema HD, &Flix, &Flix HD, and Zee Zest HD.

DP World ILT20: Where can fans watch the free live streaming of the DP World ILT20?

DP World ILT20 will be live-streamed on the ZEE5 app and website for free in India.

DP World ILT20: Where will the DP World ILT20 be played in the UAE? Match Venues

The DP World ILT20 matches will be played in three stadiums in the UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.

DP World ILT20:Teams that will feature in DP World ILT20

• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
• Desert Vipers
• Dubai Capitals
• Gulf Giants
• MI Emirates
• Sharjah Warriors

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