Deccan Gladiators’ Next Chapter: From T10 Legends to a New Season with BC.GAME News

The Legend of Deccan Gladiators

In the fast‑paced history of the T10 League, Deccan Gladiators have already become one of its most successful sides.

Founded in 2019, the team has won three Abu Dhabi T10 titles (2021, 2022, and 2024) and reached the final five times, holding a win rate above 70%—a rare level of consistency in short‑format cricket.

By the end of the 2024 season, three Gladiators players had earned individual honors:

• Tom Kohler‑Cadmore (Most Runs — 278)
• Richard Gleeson (Most Wickets — 14)
• Jos Buttler (Player of the Series)

These achievements underline the team’s balanced strength in both batting and bowling.

The turning point came in the 2021 season, when the club rebuilt its roster and signed several international stars — Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Tom Kohler‑Cadmore, Tymal Mills, and David Wiese.

Russell’s unbeaten 90 off 32 balls in the final secured Gladiators’ first‑ever title and announced their arrival as a major force.

Over the next two years, Gladiators kept their core together and refined their tactics.
They defended the title in 2022 and won again in 2024 under the combined form of Buttler and Kohler‑Cadmore.

That year they won 6 of 7 matches, topped the table with a +2.130 net run rate, and defeated Morrisville Samp Army by eight overs in the final — their third championship in four seasons.

Challenges and Adjustments

Success has not come without strain. During the 2023 season, Gladiators struggled for consistency.

Injuries and national‑team call‑ups kept senior players like Russell and Wiese off the field, while newer recruits needed time to settle.

Batting output dipped in key games, and the team finished mid‑table after an uneven campaign.

Late in 2023, the team experimented with younger players, replacing some veterans — but the transition was not immediate. A semifinal loss to Samp Army exposed issues in middle‑over execution and bowling rhythm.

Analysts described the team as being in a “transition window,” where the margin for error was thin and balance hard to maintain.

Over the past two seasons, Gladiators have tested multiple batting orders and tactical combinations, but the challenge of maintaining both flexibility and execution remains — especially in a high‑pressure, high‑tempo format like T10.

A New Chapter with BC.GAME News

Ahead of the 2025 season, Deccan Gladiators announced BC.GAME News as their new main sponsor — widely regarded as an extension of the global online entertainment brand BC.GAME.

The company is best known for its presence in crypto gaming and digital entertainment, and has recently expanded into sports — partnering with Leicester City FC, Barbados Royals, and O’Higgins FC, among others.

The 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 League is set to begin in November.

Gladiators have confirmed the return of key players:

• Tom Kohler‑Cadmore
• Richard Gleeson
• Luke Wood
• Jos Buttler

They will debut a new kit featuring the BC.GAME News logo as they aim for another title.

The season’s focus will be roster cohesion and continuity. Kohler‑Cadmore and Buttler remain the preferred opening pair, with Pooran and Russell providing middle‑order firepower. Gleeson and Luke Wood are expected to anchor the bowling unit.

Most bookmakers and analysts list the Gladiators among the top contenders again, citing their proven core and consistent structure.

What’s Next for the Deccan Gladiators

Several veterans are nearing the final stretch of their international careers.

Russell has announced a farewell appearance for the West Indies in 2025, while Buttler and Pooran continue to feature in global leagues such as T20 and The Hundred.

This generational shift forces the Gladiators to manage aging stars while preparing the next wave of talent.

Management is reportedly working on longer‑term plans, including overseas training camps and youth development initiatives beyond the UAE.

The 2025 campaign may not define the Gladiators’ legacy — but how they evolve from champions into a sustainable powerhouse might.