GMR Group Co-Owner of Delhi Capitals Aquires Franchise in UAE T20 League

By: Shivam Verma

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) revealed on Wednesday that the Delhi-based GMR Group had purchased a franchise in the upcoming UAE T20 League. The ECB said that "GMR Group, an Indian-based infrastructure business, has obtained the rights to operate and manage the Dubai teams in the UAE T20 Competition." GMR group is the co-proprietor of Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

"Our team has experience of 14 seasons creating franchises through our Delhi Capital's participation in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and we will combine the same characteristics of these methods into UAE T20 League and establishing it as a premier and an essential part of the global cricket ecosystem," said GM Rao, Group Chairman at GMR Group. "Based on our years of IPL expertise, we will leverage to build a dynamic cricket atmosphere for budding players, which will infinitely thrill cricket enthusiasts," said Kiran Kumar Granthi, Corporate Chairman of GMR Group.

Other owners of the league

Despite a difficulty to find an appropriate window for what it refers to as the flagship professional T20 League, the ECB has stated that the league is on track to be contested this year. Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Shah Rukh Khan, the Glazer Family, and Rajesh Sharma, a Dubai-based billionaire, are among the league's other owners. Attempts are being made to hold the event in June and July.

Khalid Al Zarooni, ECB Vice-Chairman, stated: "The UAE T20 League counts itself extremely fortunate to have had a series of fruitful meetings with several stakeholders involved looking to invest in our League. These negotiations have been quite fruitful, and we are really pleased to welcome GMR Group as a partner. The reputation of this League around the cricketing globe is critical to us, and we have connected ourselves with sponsors that share the same ideals toward the game, valuing its passion, integrity, and longevity."

ECB is likely to make statements about additional owners

Mubashshir Usmani, the board's general secretary, stated: "At its core, the UAE T20 League will give this chance for players in the Associate system to play against world-class Internationals and get much-needed exposure to a broader audience. We are convinced that this League will rapidly become one of our pioneering events, shaping cricket to new heights."

In the coming days, the ECB is likely to make statements about additional owners, including Gautam Adani, whose ownership of a club was previously disclosed by this website.