Abu Dhabi, September 24: Nicholas Pooran has been named captain and icon player of Royal Desert Champions, a new team in the Abu Dhabi T10.
England opener Phil Salt and West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford have joined as platinum direct signings. Former India all-rounder Robin Singh has been appointed team director.
The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 runs from November 7 to 20 at Zayed Cricket Stadium. It is the first edition since the tournament came under Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH), and Royal Desert Champions are the first completely new team of this phase.
Robin Singh’s role
Singh has a long association with Mumbai Indians and has worked in international and franchise cricket. He has won titles in both T10 and ILT20 cricket.
“Having been closely associated with the Abu Dhabi tournament format over the years, I am delighted to continue my journey with the Royal Desert Champions,” Singh said. “I look forward to building around our strong core a quality and competitive team capable of making an immediate impact in the Abu Dhabi T10.”
The three signings
Pooran, from Trinidad, has previously captained West Indies in limited-overs cricket and played for them until 2024. Salt is an attacking right-handed opener for England. Rutherford bats in the middle order, bowls medium pace and has played in the CPL, IPL, PSL, BPL, ILT20 and MLC.
The team was founded by Amit Narang, a former banker with more than 17 years at international banks in India and the UAE who now runs a fintech business in the Emirates.
“With Nicholas leading us, supported by outstanding players such as Phil and Sherfane, we have an exciting core around which to build. We are here to compete, to win and to create something that endures,” Narang said.
ADCSH and Abu Dhabi T10 chief executive Matt Boucher said: “With Robin guiding the sporting operation and Nicholas, Phil and Sherfane providing such a solid early foundation on the field, it will be exciting to see how the Royal Desert Champions take shape ahead of November.”
The squad will be completed at the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 player draft in Abu Dhabi on September 30. Elsewhere in UAE franchise cricket, the ILT20 Season 5 auction takes place on October 1.
