Indian wicketkeeper-batter Kona Srikar Bharat has been picked in the MI Emirates Development squad for the latest edition of the ILT20 Development Tournament. The competition, now in its fourth running, is scheduled to begin on September 14, 2026, with squads across all six franchise-linked development sides confirmed after the Player Draft was held on September 2, 2026.
Bharat's inclusion gives the MI Emirates development unit a player of considerable domestic experience. The 17-member group assembled
by MI Emirates will compete in a competition that runs parallel to the main ILT20 franchise structure, offering players outside primary squads meaningful T20 match time in the UAE.
All six ILT20 franchises have fielded development sides for this edition, maintaining the format that has been in place since the tournament's inception.
What is the ILT20 Development Tournament and why does it matter?
The ILT20 Development Tournament operates as a companion competition to the main DP World ILT20 league, giving cricketers who fall outside the primary franchise rosters a structured environment to stay match-ready and be assessed by team management. Each of the six ILT20 franchises enters a development side, creating a full round-robin ecosystem of competitive cricket in the UAE.
The timing of this edition carries added significance. The DP World ILT20 Season 5 Player Auction is set for October 1, 2026, in Dubai, meaning the development tournament concludes in close proximity to the auction window. Performances across the competition will therefore be visible to franchise decision-makers before bidding begins.
The Player Draft for the current cycle was conducted on September 2, 2026, with all squads finalised on that date ahead of the September 14 tournament start.
What role does Muhammad Waseem play in the MI Emirates development setup?
One of the standout names alongside Bharat in the MI Emirates development group is Muhammad Waseem, who brings a wealth of franchise experience to the side. Waseem has made 46 appearances for MI Emirates and sits third on the all-time DP World ILT20 run-scoring list with 1,241 runs, making him one of the most decorated players in the competition's history.
His presence alongside Bharat gives the development squad a core of senior cricketers capable of setting standards for the younger members of the group. Players such as Vishnu Sukumaran, Aryan Lakra and Adithya Shetty add further competitive depth to the unit.
With the tournament beginning on September 14, Bharat and his teammates will have the opportunity to build match rhythm in T20 conditions in the UAE ahead of the main league season.
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MI Emirates full squad for the ILT20 Development Tournament
Kona Srikar Bharat, Ali Naseer, Ibrahim Masood, Vishnu Sukumaran, Adithya Shetty, Aryan Lakra, Nasir Faraz, Said Nazeer, Wahab Hassan, Muhammad Sameer, Zenul Abideen, Raizal Nadir, Naseem Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Muhammad Rohid, Usman Khan, Zahoor Khan.
