Dubai Capitals: ILT20 Franchise Profile and History

Dubai Capitals are one of the six teams in the International League T20, the franchise Twenty20 competition played in the United Arab Emirates. The team is owned by the GMR Group, which is also a co-owner of the Indian Premier League’s Delhi Capitals.

Origins

The ILT20 launched in January 2023, organised by the Emirates Cricket Board. Dubai Capitals carry the same name and similar colours as their IPL counterpart, forming part of a growing trend of franchise groups running teams in several leagues around the world.

Record in the first seasons

The Capitals reached the final in each of the league’s first two seasons. In 2023 they lost to Desert Vipers, and in 2024 they were beaten by MI Emirates. Results after 2024 are not covered here. Their consistency in reaching finals marked them out as one of the strongest sides in the competition’s early years.

Home venue

As the Dubai-based team, the Capitals are naturally linked with Dubai International Stadium, one of the region’s leading cricket grounds. ILT20 fixtures are also staged in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, so the team travels within the UAE during the tournament.

Significance

The franchise gives the GMR Group a presence in the UAE alongside its Indian interests. Squads are rebuilt each year through a mix of auction and direct signings, so no current players are listed on this page.

For followers of the league, Dubai Capitals represent a team that has been close to the trophy on more than one occasion, a good illustration of how competitive the ILT20 has been from the start.