Sunil Narine to lead Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20

The Knight Riders Group have appointed Sunil Narine as the skipper of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for the inaugural season of UAE's International League T20, set to be played in UAE in January. Narine is one of the few players to have played for only one franchise in the Indian Premier League and extending his services to ILT20 means he is now associated with all three franchises of Knight Riders Group - KKR, ADKR and TKR.

"I'm very excited to take up the role as captain of Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. It's a new challenge, because now I have to think about the functioning of our whole team, rather than just focus on my game or my four overs. It's something I'm really looking forward to. I have grown on Knight Riders, and Knight Riders have grown on me, so it's like a family,” Narine said in a press release shared by the Knight Riders group.

𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓 ⚠️

Presenting the 𝘒𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵-𝘪𝘯-𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 at @ADKRiders! 👊🇦🇪#AbuDhabiKnightRiders #ILT20 @ILT20Official #ALeagueApart pic.twitter.com/T9qxhEH7lD

— Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (@ADKRiders) December 14, 2022

“Everywhere they have a team, I love being a part of it. I have played a lot of cricket in the UAE, so I know the conditions pretty well. If you look at the ADKR squad, it is a familiar setup, and not a brand new XI that I have to get used to. So that gives me great confidence, knowing the strength of my players. There are a lot of senior guys in the team as well, who I can bounce ideas and information off. It's going to be a lot of fun, it has been a long journey with the Knight Riders family, and I hope it's a never-ending one."

Meanwhile, Colin Munro has been named as the captain of Desert Vipers whereas Moeen Ali will lead Sharjah Warriors in the inaugural edition of the ILT20. The tourmament will kick off in Dubai on January 13.