West Indies star Nicholas Pooran will lead the newly formed Royal Desert Champions as captain and Icon player in the relaunched Abu Dhabi T10 tournament.
Nicholas Pooran has been confirmed as captain and Icon player of Royal Desert Champions, the newest franchise to join the Abu Dhabi T10 as the tournament enters a new era under Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH). The announcement was made on Wednesday, with the team set to make their debut in the upcoming 2026 edition of the competition.
Royal Desert Champions has been founded by serial entrepreneur and former banker Amit Narang. The franchise has also secured direct signings in England international Phil Salt and West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford, giving the team a strong early core ahead of the player draft.
“Royal Desert Champions is built on the belief that champions are revealed when conditions are toughest. The desert embodies the qualities we want this team to stand for - resilience, courage, adaptability, and ambition.
"As the first new founding team of this new Abu Dhabi T10 era, we have the opportunity to create something distinctive from the ground up - a team that the emirate can be proud of, a brand that connects with fans locally and globally, and a franchise with the ambition to build a lasting legacy. 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.
Notably, Pooran has a long association with the Abu Dhabi T10 format and previously captained the West Indies national team in limited-overs cricket until 2024. His appointment as both captain and Icon player reflects the franchise's intent to build around an established match-winner with experience at the highest level of the shortest format.
Former Indian all-rounder Robin Singh, meanwhile, has been appointed as the team director for the latest franchise. Singh said that he is confident of making a strong impact with his years of experience and association with the league throughout.
“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. 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,” Robin Singh was quoted as saying.
When and where will Royal Desert Champions play their first matches?
Royal Desert Champions will compete in the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10, which is scheduled to run from November 7 to November 20 at Zayed Cricket Stadium. The official player draft for the tournament is set for September 30, 2026, in Abu Dhabi, after which the full squad will take shape around the confirmed direct signings.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the Royal Desert Champions to the Abu Dhabi T10. Bringing together a strong regional identity with world-class international talent is exactly the kind of ambition we want to see as the competition continues to grow.
“The new team ownership has set out a clear direction for the team, and they are already assembling an impressive combination of leadership, experience, and international talent. 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,” Matt Boucher, CEO of ADCSH and the Abu Dhabi T10 said.