Dubai, Oct 2, 2025: The DP World ILT20 Season 4 player auction on October 1 produced drama, big-money signings and a clearly deliberate recruiting strategy from Dubai Capitals as they shaped a squad that mixes raw pace, power-hitting and versatile all-round options. The Capitals, who have been one of the tournament’s most ambitious franchises, backed youth and experience in equal measure.
Dubai Capitals made one of the tournament’s biggest single investments when they secured English all-rounder Scott Currie. Currie emerged as a major buy for the Capitals, giving them a genuine seam-bowling and pace-bowling asset to pair with their existing fast-bowling stocks.
In keeping with ILT20’s expanding vision to include more regional talent, Dubai Capitals utilized the Associate Nation quotas to sign Anudeep Chenthamara (from Kuwait) and Usman Najeeb (from Saudi Arabia). Both were acquired at their base price of USD 10,000 each. These signings reflect the Capitals’ strategy of combining international stars with promising associate talent, fulfilling the league’s requirement for at least one Kuwaiti and one Saudi player per squad.
The Squad
Batters: Rovman Powell, Sediqullah Atal, Leus Du Plooy, Toby Albert
Wicket-Keeper Batter: Jordan Cox, Shayan Jahangir
Bowlers: Waqar Salamkheil, Haider Ali, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Farooq, Tymal Mills, Farhan Khan, Anudeep Chenthamara, Usman Najeeb, Rushil Ugarkar, Akshay Wakhare
All-Rounders: Gulbadin Naib, James Neesham, David Willey, Navin Bidaisee, Scott Currie, Mohammad Nabi, Ritesh Grandhi
Key Points
1. Power and finishing: Rovman Powell provides explosive late-order hitting and the ability to jumpstart innings; Jordan Cox and Leus du Plooy bring the technique and finishing skills needed in the middle order. Combined, the batting unit mixes strike capability with solidity.
2. Pace battery: The Capitals now have a deep pace bench. Tymal Mills and Scott Currie offer genuine international-class pace and wicket-taking ability in short bursts, while homegrown and associate options like Farhan Khan and Muhammad Farooq provide domestic depth. This gives the team flexibility in both powerplay and death overs.
3. Spin and experience: Mohammad Nabi and Akshay Wakhare add control, variation and T20 experience, useful in middle overs and on slower Dubai surfaces. Nabi’s presence also brings leadership and tactical nous in pressure moments.
4. All-round balance: With names like Gulbadin Naib, David Willey, James Neesham and Currie, the Capitals have several players who can contribute with both bat and ball, allowing the captain to juggle XI combinations depending on conditions and opposition matchups.
Speaking after the auction, the team management highlighted their intent to create a well-rounded squad that can “compete fearlessly and play expressive cricket.” The inclusion of young UAE talents like Farhan Khan and Muhammad Farooq also underlines the franchise’s commitment to nurturing local talent.
As the countdown to DP World ILT20 Season 4 begins, the Capitals faithful can expect a brand of cricket that’s bold, balanced and built for big moments.
