West Indies T20 star Nicholas Pooran to lead Royal Desert Champions in Abu Dhabi T10

Royal Desert Champions have signed West Indies cricket sensation Nicholas Pooran to lead their side in the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10. The 30-year-old, a versatile performer for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, will be supported by fellow West Indies player Sherfane Rutherford and England batsman Phil Salt. This formidable trio pledges to bring an array of experience and skill to the team, bolstering Royal Desert Champions with their proven talent in shorter formats.

To oversee their development, the team has appointed former India international Robin Singh as their director. Singh, having been closely linked with the Abu Dhabi tournament, expressed excitement about joining the Royal Desert Champions, eager to build a competitive squad capable of making an immediate impact in the Abu Dhabi T10.

Matt Boucher, CEO of ADCSH and Abu Dhabi T10, spoke highly of the new signing, stating, "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."

As preparations for the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 accelerate, Royal Desert Champions will continue building their squad and sporting structure. The competition itself will take place from November 7-20 at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.