Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Team 2025: ILT20 Powerhouse
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Team 2025: The ILT20 League is a fast-paced version of cricket played in the United Arab Emirates. ADKR is a renowned franchise cricket team that competes in this league. Knight Riders by Shah Rukh Khan is the franchise owner, and its headquarters are in Abu Dhabi. Shah Rukh Khan still holds ownership of this franchise after purchasing it in 2023 during the International League T20 2023.
| Team Name | Abu Dhabi Knight Riders |
| Owner | Knight Riders Group |
| Home Ground | Sheikh Zayed Cricket Ground |
| Captain | Sunil Narine |
| Head Coach | Bharathi Arun |
| Title Sponsor | |
| Other Sponsors | Khiladiˣ, TCL |
| Championships | – |
| Kit Colors | Purple and Gold |
| 2025 Season Goal | Win their first Title |
The Emirates Cricket Board runs the highest level of professional Twenty20 cricket competition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is known as the International League T20 (ILT20) or the UAE T20 League. We have shared the most recent statistics, records, and season status of the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders with the International League T20 (ILT20) 2024 squad, players, schedule, fixtures, match timetable, and venue.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Team History
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders joined the ILT20 in 2023, and since then, they have rapidly gained popularity. This franchise was purchased by the Knight Riders Group, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment and the Mehta Group.
From their beginnings in 2023, ADKR has shown commitment, competitive spirit, and remarkable growth. Their dedication has quickly made them one of the most promising teams in the league.
Team Details and Identity
The ADKR Team Identity shows the team’s bold and competitive spirit. They use purple and gold as their main colors, which represent strength, royalty, and resilience.
This strong identity helps ADKR connect with fans who love cricket and the excitement of Twenty20 matches. Their unique colors and style make them easy to recognize in the league.
ADKR Team Logo and Its Identification
The ADKR Team Identity shows that the team is strong and competitive. Their main colors, purple and gold, represent power and royalty.
These colors help ADKR connect with fans who enjoy the fast-paced Twenty20 games. The unique look makes the team easy to recognize in the league.
ADKR Kit & Jersey 2025
The ADKR Jersey & Kit is a favorite among fans, with its iconic purple and gold color scheme. The 2025 uniform features the logos of main sponsors, Khiladiˣ and TCL, keeping the design bold and recognizable.
The jersey also includes eye-catching flame designs across the chest, giving the players a fierce look on the field. This unique style has become a proud symbol for ADKR, and fans love wearing similar jerseys to show their support.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Team Captain 2025
In 2025, Sunil Narine from West Indies will continue leading ADKR as their captain. Known for his leadership and expertise as an all-rounder, Sunil has gained a strong reputation as a strategic and motivating leader. His experience in international and franchise cricket adds tremendous value to the team, and he’s widely respected by teammates and fans alike.
ADKR Team Squad 2025
Batsmen, bowlers, and all-rounders contribute to the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ competitive team. They have the skill and flexibility on their team to challenge for the ILT20 League 2025 championship.
| Player Name | Player Role | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Sunil Narine(Captain) | Bowling All-rounder | West Indies |
| Andre Russell | Batting All-rounder | West Indies |
| Akeal Hosein | Bowling All-rounder | West Indies |
| Raymon Reifer | Batsmen | West Indies |
| Kennar Lewis | Wicket-keeper | West Indies |
| Ravi Rampaul | Bowler | West Indies |
| Jonny Bairstow | Batsmen | England |
| Paul Stirling | Batsmen | (Ireland |
| Lahiru Kumara | Bowler | Sri Lanka |
| Charith Asalanka | Batsmen | Sri Lanka |
| Colin Ingram | Batsmen | South Africa |
| Ali Khan | Bowler | USA |
| Brandon Glover | Bowler | Netherland |
| Matiullah Khan | Batsmen | UAE |
| Sabir Ali | Bowler | UAE |
| Fahad Nawaz | Batsmen | UAE |
| Zawar Farid | Bowler | UAE |
| Marchant De Lange | Bowler | South Africa |
| Dhananjaya De Silva | Batsmen | Srilanka |
| Connor Esterhuizen | Wicket-keeper | South Africa |
| Traveen Mathew | Bowler | Srilanka |
Retentions and New Signings of ADKR Team 2025
New Signings:
- Roston Chase (West Indies – Batting all-rounder)
- Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar (Afghanistan – Bowler)
- Gudakesh Motie (West Indies – Left-arm spinner)
- Hassan Khan (USA – All-rounder)
- Terrance Hinds (West Indies – Medium-pace bowler)
Retained Players:
- Aditya Shetty
- Ali Khan
- Andre Russell
- Charith Asalanka
- Sunil Narine
- Michael Pepper
- Laurie Evans
- Joe Clarke
- David Willey
- Alishan Sharafu
ADKR Schedule 2025
The UAE Premier League will begin on January 11, 2025. The ADKR schedule for 2025 has been released. You may check it out as soon as it is announced:
Home Ground: Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium
The Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi is ADKR’s home ground. With seating for over 20,000 fans, the stadium offers an exciting viewing experience.
Featuring North End and Pavilion End creases, this stadium has hosted many international events, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It’s a perfect venue for ADKR, bringing together local and international fans to cheer for the team.
ADKR Team Owner
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (ADKR) team is owned by the Knight Riders Group. This group is a partnership between Red Chillies Entertainment and the Mehta Group. The ownership brings together strong support and expertise to build a successful cricket franchise.
Red Chillies Entertainment, owned by Shah Rukh Khan, holds a majority stake in the team. Known worldwide as a popular actor and businessman, Shah Rukh brings energy and global appeal to the team, making it well-loved by fans around the world.
The Mehta Group holds the other part of the ownership. They are known for their business skills and commitment to sports, adding valuable support to the ADKR team. Together, the Knight Riders Group works to make ADKR a powerful and exciting team in the ILT20 league.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Sponsors 2025
| Year | Sponsors |
| 2023 | Khiladiˣ, TCL |
| 2024 | Khiladiˣ, TCL |
Management And Coaching Staff 2025
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| CEO/Managing director | Venky Mysore |
| Team manager | Wayne Bentley |
| Head coach | Bharat Arun |
| Physio | Prasanth Panchada |
| Bowling coach | Ravi Rampaul |
| Throw down specialist | Saurabh Ambatkar |
| Strength and conditioning coach | Sagar M. |
Season and Statistics
Season Summary:
| Season | League standing | Final standing |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6th out of 6 | League Stage |
| 2024 | 3rd out of 6 | Playoffs |
Overall Results:
| Year | Played | Wins | Losses | Tied | NR | Win % | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 | 1 | 8 | – | 1 | 11.11 | 6/6 |
| 2024 | 11 | 5 | 6 | – | – | 45.45 | 4/6 |
Winning RAtio Against Other Teams:
| Team | Span | Played | Won | Lost | NR | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Capitals | 2023-2024 | 5 | 1 | 4 | – | 20.00 |
| Desert Vipers | 2023-2024 | 4 | 2 | 2 | – | 50.00 |
| Gulf Giants | 2023-2024 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 33.00 |
| MI Emirates | 2023-2024 | 4 | – | 4 | – | 00.00 |
| Sharjah Warriors | 2023-2024 | 4 | 2 | 2 | – | 50.00 |
Most Runs Scorer:
Most Wickets Taker:
Key Milestones in the Team’s Development
ADKR’s journey since 2023 has been marked by several important milestones that highlight the team’s growth and ambition.
- Formation in 2023: ADKR joined the ILT20 as a new franchise, quickly gaining a loyal fan base.
- First Playoff in 2024: The team reached the playoffs, showing clear improvement and competitiveness.
- 2025 Season Preparations: With a well-balanced squad and strategic planning, ADKR is now aiming for the championship.
These achievements have shaped ADKR into a strong and respected team in the league.
Final Words
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have made great progress in just a few seasons. With a clear identity, a loyal fan base, and a skilled team, ADKR is set for an exciting 2025 season.
As they compete in the ILT20, the team hopes to make a strong impact and secure its place in the league. With their fans’ support, ADKR is aiming to bring home the championship title this season.
