The ILT20 Season 4 player auction is almost here, and cricket fans everywhere are buzzing with excitement. This is the moment when franchises go all in to secure their dream squads, turning strategies into reality and money into match-winners. Some big names are expected to trigger bidding wars, while new talents could shock everyone with surprise deals. The ILT20 Season 4 auction isn’t just about signing players—it’s about building balance, shaping teams, and preparing for an action-packed season ahead.
The drama unfolds on 1 October 2025 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Jumeirah Beach in Dubai, making it a landmark moment in the league’s history—the very first player auction in DP World ILT20.
What is the ILT20 Auction 2025?
The DP World ILT20 Auction is a one-day event where all six franchises will bid for fresh players to complete their squads. Each team will enter with a budget of USD 800,000, along with any unused funds from their earlier direct signings and retentions. By the end of the day, teams must spend at least USD 1.5 million but cannot cross the USD 2 million cap. On top of this, they also have the option to sign up to two Wildcard players outside the auction for an additional USD 250,000.
Every squad must feature 19 to 21 players (excluding Wildcards) and follow strict rules on player composition. That means a minimum of 11 players from ICC Full Member countries, four from the UAE, one each from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and two from other Associate Nations.
This format ensures international stars mix with regional talents, creating a thrilling blend of experience and opportunity.
Auction Rules
- Budget: Each team will enter the auction with a purse of USD 800,000, plus any money left over from their initial USD 1.2 million allocation for direct signings and retentions.
- Spending limits: By the end of the auction, every franchise must spend at least USD 1.5 million, but cannot exceed USD 2 million.
- Wildcard option: Teams can go beyond the limit by spending an extra USD 250,000 on up to two Wildcard players who are not part of the auction pool.
- Squad size: Squads must have 19 to 21 players (not counting Wildcards).
- Player quotas:
- At least 11 players from ICC Full Member countries
- 4 players from the UAE
- 1 from Kuwait
- 1 from Saudi Arabia
- 2 from other ICC Associate Nations
Player Registration
- The minimum base price for players is set at USD 10,000, with higher brackets of USD 40,000 and USD 80,000.
- Player registrations were open from July to September, and the final list of available players will be shared with franchises before the auction.
- If a player becomes unavailable—due to injury, international duty, or missing an NOC—franchises can bring in replacements at any point until the league’s group stage ends. These replacements do not need to be part of the auction pool.
How the Auction Will Work
- Players will be grouped into sets based on their status (Full Member, Associate, UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia) and their playing roles.
- Within these sets, names will be drawn randomly. The auctioneer will announce the player’s name and base price, and then invite bids.
- The process will continue until no further bids are placed.
- If teams still have room in their squads after all sets are completed, they can revisit unsold players in Accelerated Rounds.
- The auction will officially end once every franchise has met the minimum spend and player requirements.
UAE Player Right-to-Match
Franchises have the option to use a Right-to-Match (RTM) card for one UAE player. This applies only if the player was part of their development squad or featured for them in Season 3. Each team can use this RTM option just once, and only for UAE players.
Retained players Before the Auction
Before the auction, each team had the option to retain certain players from the previous season. These retained players are already part of the squad and don’t go through the auction process.
Here’s the confirmed ILT20 2026 retained players for each team:
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders
- Alishan Sharafu
- Andre Russell
- Charith Asalanka
- Phil Salt
- Sunil Narine
Desert Vipers
- Dan Lawrence
- David Payne
- Khuzaima Bin Tanveer
- Lockie Ferguson
- Max Holden
- Sam Curran
- Wanindu Hasaranga
Dubai Capitals
- Dasun Shanaka
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Gulbadin Naib
- Rovman Powell
- Shai Hope
Gulf Giants
- Aayan Afzal Khan
- Muzarabani
- Gerhard Erasmus
- James Vince
- Mark Adair
MI Emirates
- AM Ghazanfar
- Fazalhaq Farooqi
- Kusal Perera
- Romario Shepherd
- Tom Banton
- Muhanned Waseem
Sharjah Warriors
- Johnson Charles
- Kusal Mendis
- Tim Southee
- Tom Kohler-Cadmore
What Fans Can Expect
The first-ever ILT20 auction promises plenty of fireworks. Big names will spark bidding battles, underdogs will rise, and fans will be glued to see which team grabs their favorite stars. Beyond the numbers, this is where team identities are shaped, rivalries are born, and the road to glory begins.
For cricket lovers, the Dubai auction isn’t just an off-field formality—it’s pure drama, suspense, and strategy rolled into one. A single bid could reshape a franchise, and an unexpected signing may well turn into the story of the season.
With history being made and millions on the line, the ILT20 Season 4 auction is the ultimate prelude to another thrilling season of world-class cricket.
