Jordan Thompson
Player Information
Player Overview
Jordan Thompson is an English bowling all-rounder who joins MI Emirates for DP World ILT20 Season 5. Born in Leeds on 9 October 1996, Thompson is a left-handed batter and right-arm medium-fast bowler who has built his career through English county cricket and franchise competitions around the world. His primary strength is his seam bowling, but he also provides aggressive lower-order batting and can score quickly when required. MI Emirates officially lists Thompson as an All Rounder for Season 5, where his ability to contribute in both disciplines gives the franchise additional flexibility within its squad.
Playing Style
Thompson is a bowling all-rounder who is regularly trusted with demanding overs while also offering power with the bat. His right-arm medium-fast bowling provides a seam option capable of being used in different phases of a T20 innings, while his attacking approach makes him a useful wicket-taking bowler rather than simply a defensive option. As a left-handed batter, Thompson can add momentum from the lower middle order and has the ability to attack from the beginning of an innings. That combination of seam bowling and aggressive batting explains his value as a multi-purpose T20 player.
Which Team Does Jordan Thompson Play for in ILT20?
Jordan Thompson plays for MI Emirates in DP World ILT20 Season 5. The franchise secured the English all-rounder for USD 40,000 during the Season 5 player auction held in Dubai on 1 October 2026. MI Emirates currently lists Thompson as an All Rounder wearing jersey number 8. His relationship with the franchise predates the new season: Thompson represented MI Emirates during the 2023/24 ILT20 campaign and was also selected for Season 4. However, an injury ruled him out before the Season 4 campaign and Rashid Khan was announced as his replacement. MI Emirates then brought Thompson back through the Season 5 auction.
Career Background
Thompson developed his professional career with Yorkshire, making his List A debut in 2019 before establishing himself across county cricket and the T20 Blast. He spent eight years as a professional with Yorkshire before joining Warwickshire on a three-year deal from the start of the 2026 season. Before that move, Warwickshire reported that Thompson had taken 185 first-class wickets at an average of 27 and 120 wickets in 116 T20 matches, highlighting the bowling experience behind his all-round role. His franchise career has also taken him outside England, with teams including Hobart Hurricanes, Karachi Kings and MI Emirates, while his domestic T20 experience has continued to grow through England’s short-format competitions.
ILT20 Record
Thompson has previous senior ILT20 experience with MI Emirates from the 2023/24 season. Cricket records list MI Emirates among his main T20 teams for that campaign, confirming that Season 5 is not his first association with the competition. He was due to return for Season 4 after MI Emirates secured him in the player auction, but injury ruled him out before he could take part and Rashid Khan replaced him in the squad. Because the official MI Emirates profile does not currently provide a reliable consolidated ILT20-only statistical breakdown for Thompson, unverified tournament totals have not been presented here. Season 5 gives him the opportunity to add to his previous ILT20 experience after missing the entire preceding campaign.
ILT20 Season 5 Context
MI Emirates paid USD 40,000 for Thompson during the Season 5 auction, adding him to a 22-player squad assembled through four pre-auction signings and 18 auction additions. His return is particularly notable after injury prevented him from participating in Season 4. Thompson joins fellow all-rounders including Romario Shepherd and James Coles, while MI Emirates also possess an experienced specialist bowling group featuring Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Chris Jordan and Lizaad Williams. His ability to provide right-arm seam bowling and left-handed lower-order hitting gives the franchise another way to balance its playing XI depending on opposition and match requirements.
Playing Style at UAE Venues
Thompson already has experience of the ILT20 environment through his earlier MI Emirates spell, so Season 5 represents a return to familiar franchise surroundings rather than his introduction to UAE-based T20 cricket. His right-arm medium-fast bowling gives MI Emirates another seam option, while his left-handed batting provides a different lower-order matchup from several of the team’s right-handed players. His wider franchise experience across multiple T20 competitions also means he enters the tournament accustomed to adapting his role to different teams and conditions. After missing Season 4 through injury, his main objective will be to translate that all-round experience into consistent contributions during the 2026 campaign.