The Desert Vipers have added to their UAE contingent for the upcoming DP World ILT20 by drafting in exciting 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Tanish Suri.
Tanish, who made his senior international debut for the UAE against Afghanistan in December 2023, becomes the Vipers’ fifth local signing for season two, alongside the retained Rohan Mustafa and Ali Naseer and the draft recruits Karthik Meiyappan and Aryan Lakra.
Tanish will bolster the squad’s keeping resources at the start of the tournament with Azam Khan on duty for Pakistan in a Twenty20 International series in New Zealand that runs until January 21st.
Tanish’s signing by the Vipers continues a golden period for the teenager.
In addition to making that senior national bow against Afghanistan, playing all three T20Is in the recent series, he was also part of the UAE under-19 side that reached the final of the Asian Cricket Council Under-19 Asia Cup in the UAE in December.
Tanish was the joint top-scorer for his country in that tournament alongside Aayan Afzal Khan, totalling 163 runs in five matches, including 75 from 88 balls against Sri Lanka, one of two wins for the side against ICC Full Members as they also overcame Pakistan before losing out to Bangladesh in the final at the Dubai International Stadium.
Tanish played as a specialist batter in the under-19 Asia Cup, going in at numbers three and four during the tournament while Aryansh Sharma took the gloves. Still, he was behind the stumps for all three matches against Afghanistan in Sharjah.
Reflecting on his inclusion in the Vipers squad, Tanish said: “I am really excited, it is a dream come true.
“I cannot wait to link up with the squad and work alongside the great players we have. I know I have a lot of learning to do but alongside those players and with the coaching staff, it will be great to be involved.”
Desert Vipers Director of Cricket Tom Moody said: “We are delighted to welcome Tanish to the Desert Vipers squad. He is an exciting young player and the fact he has been selected at UAE senior level at 18 years of age shows we are not the only ones to recognise his ability.
“Tanish will add to our wicketkeeping depth whilst we have some squad movement throughout the tournament. Opting for an additional UAE player is something we are proud of as a franchise, it shows our commitment in helping to develop the game here in the UAE. We believe having five domestic players in our squad is a win-win for everyone.
“We are excited in taking part in helping Tanish develop in a high-performance environment with the Desert Vipers.”
The DP World ILT20 gets underway on Friday 19 January and the Desert Vipers’ first match is against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday 21 January.
Tickets for all Desert Vipers matches are now on sale and can be purchased via the official DP World ILT20 website or at any Virgin Megastore across the UAE.
