{
  "id": 9753555,
  "title": "West Indies T20 star Nicholas Pooran to lead Royal Desert Champions in Abu Dhabi T10",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/west-indies-t20-star-nicholas-pooran-to-lead-royal-desert-champions",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T10:31:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/cricket/2026/09/25/west-indies-t20-star-nicholas-pooran-to-lead-royal-desert-champions-in-abu-dhabi-t10/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Royal Desert Champions have signed up to compete in the upcoming Abu Dhabi T10, with West Indies superstar Nicholas Pooran taking on the role of team captain. The 30-year-old Pooran, who also plays for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, will be supported by West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford and England batsman Phil Salt as direct signings. This talented trio is expected to form the backbone of Royal Desert Champions' strategy in the new T10 format.\n\nTo further strengthen their lineup, Royal Desert Champions have also brought in former India international all-rounder Robin Singh as their director. Singh, boasting extensive experience with the Abu Dhabi tournament structure, expressed his excitement about working alongside Pooran to build a competitive team capable of making an immediate impact.\n\nMatt Boucher, CEO of ADCSH and the Abu Dhabi T10, emphasized the significance of welcoming the Royal Desert Champions to the competition. He highlighted the strategic combination of regional identity with world-class international talent as a key ambition for the growing Abu Dhabi T10.\n\nAs preparations for the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 accelerate, Royal Desert Champions will continue to build their squad and sporting structure. The official player draft is set to take place on September 30 in Abu Dhabi. The tournament itself will be held from November 7-20 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in the UAE capital.",
  "summary": "Royal Desert Champions have become the latest team to join the Abu Dhabi T10 and will be captained by West Indies star Nicholas Pooran. Pooran, 30, who also competes for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, will be joined on the team by West Indies all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford and England batsman Phil Salt, who have joined as direct signings. The star trio provides Royal Desert Champions with an…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "West Indies T20 star Nicholas Pooran to lead Royal Desert Champions in Abu Dhabi T10",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/west-indies-t20-star-nicholas-pooran-to-lead-royal-desert-champions-9755117",
        "published": "2026-09-25T10:31:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}