Key points
- Five of the six ILT20 teams are owned by Indian business groups. Desert Vipers are owned by Lancer Capital, the company of American businessman Avram Glazer.
- Three owners also own IPL teams: Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals.
- The same six owners have run their teams since they bought them in 2021 and 2022.
- The league is sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board, but the teams are privately owned.
The six ILT20 teams are owned by Reliance Industries (MI Emirates), the Knight Riders Group (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), the GMR Group (Dubai Capitals), Adani Sportsline (Gulf Giants), Capri Global (Sharjah Warriorz) and Lancer Capital (Desert Vipers). Five are Indian business groups, and Lancer Capital is the investment company of American businessman Avram Glazer. Owner details were last checked on 4 October 2026.
ILT20 team owners at a glance
| Team | Owner | People behind it | Country | IPL team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Abu Dhabi Knight RidersAbu Dhabi KR | Knight Riders Group | Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta | India | Kolkata Knight Riders |
 Desert Vipers | Lancer Capital | Avram Glazer | USA | None |
 Dubai Capitals | GMR Group | Kiran Kumar Grandhi | India | Delhi Capitals (co-owner) |
 Gulf Giants | Adani Sportsline (Adani Group) | Gautam Adani and Pranav Adani | India | None |
 MI Emirates | Reliance Industries | Mukesh, Nita and Akash Ambani | India | Mumbai Indians |
 Sharjah Warriorz | Capri Global | Rajesh Sharma | India | None |
Who owns each ILT20 team
Each team page has more on its owner. These are the short versions.
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Knight Riders Group
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders are owned by the Knight Riders Group, the partnership of Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment and the Mehta Group, with Juhi Chawla and Jay Mehta. The group also owns Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League and Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket. See the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders owner section.
Desert Vipers: Lancer Capital
Desert Vipers are owned by Lancer Capital, chaired by Avram Glazer, co-chairman of Manchester United. It is the only ILT20 owner from outside India, and the Vipers are its only cricket team: Glazer also bid for IPL teams in 2021 and 2026 without success. In July 2026 there were reports that the Vipers might leave the league after a disagreement over fees, but they stayed and bought players at the Season 5 auction. See the Desert Vipers owner section.
Dubai Capitals: GMR Group
Dubai Capitals are owned by the GMR Group, the Indian infrastructure group led by corporate chairman Kiran Kumar Grandhi. GMR co-owns Delhi Capitals in the IPL and the Women’s Premier League with JSW Sports, but JSW has no stake in the Dubai team. GMR has also invested in Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket and owns Hampshire and Southern Brave in English cricket. See the Dubai Capitals owner section.
Gulf Giants: Adani Sportsline
Gulf Giants are owned by Adani Sportsline, the sports arm of the Adani Group chaired by Gautam Adani, with Pranav Adani leading its sports business. The group owns Gujarat Giants teams in the Women’s Premier League and the Pro Kabaddi League, but no IPL team. See the Gulf Giants owner section.
MI Emirates: Reliance Industries
MI Emirates are owned by Reliance Industries, which bought the team through its subsidiary Reliance Strategic Business Ventures in November 2021. They belong to the Mumbai Indians family, led by Mukesh, Nita and Akash Ambani, with Mumbai Indians in the IPL and the Women’s Premier League, MI Cape Town in the SA20, MI New York in Major League Cricket and MI London in The Hundred, where Reliance holds 49%. See the MI Emirates owner section.
Sharjah Warriorz: Capri Global
Sharjah Warriorz are owned by Capri Global, the Indian financial services group founded by managing director Rajesh Sharma. Capri Global also owns UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League. The team’s name was spelled Sharjah Warriors in its first seasons and is now Sharjah Warriorz. See the Sharjah Warriorz owner section.
Which ILT20 teams are owned by IPL teams?
Three. MI Emirates share their owner with Mumbai Indians, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders with Kolkata Knight Riders, and Dubai Capitals with Delhi Capitals, which GMR co-owns. Desert Vipers, Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriorz have no IPL link, although the owners of Gulf Giants and Sharjah Warriorz have teams in the Women’s Premier League.
The ILT20 itself is not owned by the IPL or by India’s cricket board. The links come only through these private owners, and Indian players still need to retire from Indian cricket before they can play: see can Indian players play in ILT20.
Where are the ILT20 owners from?
Five owners are Indian groups: Reliance Industries, the Knight Riders Group, the GMR Group, Adani Sportsline and Capri Global. Lancer Capital, the owner of Desert Vipers, is American. The National has linked this to the Vipers’ Pakistan signings, and at the 2026 auction the Vipers signed four Pakistan players, including Babar Azam.
The owners’ other cricket teams
| Owner | IPL | Women’s Premier League | Other leagues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reliance Industries | Mumbai Indians | Mumbai Indians | MI Cape Town (SA20), MI New York (Major League Cricket), MI London (The Hundred, 49%) |
| Knight Riders Group | Kolkata Knight Riders | None | Trinbago Knight Riders (Caribbean Premier League), Los Angeles Knight Riders (Major League Cricket) |
| GMR Group | Delhi Capitals (co-owner) | Delhi Capitals (co-owner) | Seattle Orcas (Major League Cricket, part-owner), Hampshire and Southern Brave (England) |
| Adani Sportsline | None | Gujarat Giants | Gujarat Giants (Pro Kabaddi League) |
| Capri Global | None | UP Warriorz | None |
| Lancer Capital | None | None | No other cricket team; the Glazer family also owns Manchester United |
When the owners bought their teams
The six owners were announced over six months, from November 2021 to May 2022, before the first season in January 2023:
- 24 November 2021: Reliance Industries (MI Emirates)
- 1 December 2021: Lancer Capital (Desert Vipers)
- 23 February 2022: GMR Group (Dubai Capitals)
- 9 March 2022: Capri Global (Sharjah Warriorz)
- 9 May 2022: Adani Sportsline (Gulf Giants)
- 12 May 2022: Knight Riders Group (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)
Reliance and Lancer Capital were the first owners announced, although the league describes GMR’s Dubai deal as the first franchise it signed.
How much did the ILT20 teams cost?
The prices have never been made public. None of the announcements in 2021 and 2022 gave a figure, and the league has not published one since.
Has any ILT20 team changed owners?
No. The same six owners have run their teams since 2022. The only changes have been the spelling of Sharjah Warriorz and the brief doubt in July 2026 over whether Desert Vipers would stay, which ended with the team taking part in the Season 5 auction.
Which owners have won the ILT20?
Four of the six. Adani Sportsline won with Gulf Giants in 2023, Reliance with MI Emirates in 2024, GMR with Dubai Capitals in 2025 and Lancer Capital with Desert Vipers in 2025-26. The Knight Riders Group and Capri Global are still waiting for their first title. See the full ILT20 winners list.
Who owns and runs the ILT20 league?
The league is sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board but not owned by it, and the six teams are privately owned. Its chairman is Khalid Al Zarooni, vice-chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board. David White, chief executive since 2023, left in September 2026, and Mike Fordham was named interim chief operating officer. DP World is the title sponsor and Zee holds the media rights. Read more in our guide: what is ILT20.
ILT20 owners: questions
Who owns the ILT20 teams?
Reliance Industries (MI Emirates), the Knight Riders Group (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), the GMR Group (Dubai Capitals), Adani Sportsline (Gulf Giants), Capri Global (Sharjah Warriorz) and Lancer Capital (Desert Vipers).
Are ILT20 teams owned by IPL teams?
Three are linked: MI Emirates (Mumbai Indians), Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Kolkata Knight Riders) and Dubai Capitals (Delhi Capitals, co-owned by GMR). The league itself has no link to the IPL.
Which ILT20 team is not owned by an Indian company?
Desert Vipers, owned by Lancer Capital, the investment company of American businessman Avram Glazer.
Which countries are the ILT20 owners from?
Five are from India and one, Lancer Capital, is from the United States.
Who owns the ILT20 league?
The league is sanctioned by the Emirates Cricket Board but not owned by it. Its chairman is Khalid Al Zarooni.
How much did the ILT20 teams cost?
The prices have never been made public.
Has any ILT20 team changed owners?
No. The same six owners have run their teams since 2022.
Which ILT20 owners have won the title?
Adani Sportsline (Gulf Giants, 2023), Reliance (MI Emirates, 2024), GMR (Dubai Capitals, 2025) and Lancer Capital (Desert Vipers, 2025-26).
Sources: ILT20 About page (archived April 2026), Mumbai Indians announcement, November 2021, Knight Riders announcement, May 2022, The New Arab on Avram Glazer, Gulf News on GMR, Gulf News on Capri Global, Gulf News on Adani, ESPNcricinfo on how the league is run, Reliance on MI London, Hampshire on GMR and Southern Brave, The National on owners and Pakistan players, CricExec on Desert Vipers staying, Times of India on David White.
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