Abhishek Bachchan's Vision for the European T20 Premier League

Abhishek Bachchan's Sports Journey

Dublin [Ireland], May 12: Abhishek Bachchan, a co-founder and co-owner of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), attributes his passion for sports to his father, Amitabh Bachchan. He recalls how his love for various sports blossomed during his childhood while watching events alongside his father.

In addition to his successful career in Bollywood, Abhishek has made a name for himself as a sports entrepreneur in India. He holds ownership stakes in multiple sports, including kabaddi and football, and is the owner of the Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi League, as well as a co-owner of Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League, partnering with former Indian captain MS Dhoni.

Abhishek is frequently seen supporting his teams at kabaddi matches and Chennaiyin FC games, and he regularly attends matches featuring the Indian cricket team, showcasing his deep-rooted enthusiasm for sports.

Reflecting on his early influences, Abhishek shared, "My father is a significant sports enthusiast. Spending my childhood with him, watching various sports and learning from him, is where my love for sports began."

Regarding the ETPL, a newly established franchise-based cricket tournament, Abhishek has expressed his aspirations for the league. He envisions ETPL becoming a premier cricket tournament in Europe, showcasing top international talent and delivering high-quality, entertaining cricket. He hopes that in the coming years, ETPL will become one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the cricket calendar.

"The goal is to create a world-class cricket tournament in Europe, offering an entertaining experience with exceptional cricket. In three to five years, I hope ETPL will still be thriving and regarded as one of the most awaited cricket events," he stated.

Supported by Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB), the league has received official sanction from the International Cricket Council (ICC), marking it as one of the first major ICC-approved franchise T20 leagues in the region.

ETPL is set to feature international stars such as Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, and Glenn Maxwell, providing a unique platform for emerging players from Europe and other Associate Nations to compete alongside some of the biggest names in cricket.

The league has already garnered attention from notable figures in cricket, business, and global investment, with an impressive lineup of cricketing legends, including Rahul Dravid, Chris Gayle, and Faf du Plessis.

The inaugural season of ETPL is scheduled to take place from August 26 to September 20, 2026. Abhishek explained that this timing was chosen to secure a dedicated slot, allowing the league to attract top cricketing talent from around the world.

Most major franchise leagues occupy different segments of the cricket calendar, with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) typically held from March to May, while South Africa's SA20 and Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) are usually scheduled between December and January.

"We aimed for an uninterrupted window with minimal clashes with other cricketing events. We are grateful to the ICC for allocating this window to us, enabling us to attract the best available talent," Abhishek concluded.