Jonty Rhodes Anticipates Exciting Future for European T20 Premier League

Jonty Rhodes on the ETPL's Potential

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 30: Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes expressed optimism about the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), suggesting that the league will garner significant attention following impressive performances from non-Test playing nations during the recent T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Renowned for his exceptional fielding skills, Jonty is a co-owner of the Rotterdam franchise in the ETPL, partnering with fellow South African cricket stars Heinrich Klaasen and Faf du Plessis, alongside managing partner Madhukhar Shree.

The ETPL marks Europe's first ICC-sanctioned T20 league, with the Rotterdam franchise set to compete in its inaugural season from August 26 to September 20, 2026. The tournament will feature six city-based franchises—Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, and Rotterdam—competing in a total of 33 matches, representing a significant milestone for cricket in Europe.

During the recent T20 World Cup, several associate nations, including the US, Nepal, Netherlands, debutants Italy, and Scotland, showcased remarkable performances. Notably, the Netherlands had close matches against cricketing powerhouses India and Pakistan, despite not advancing past the group stage. They previously stunned fans by defeating a strong South African team in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

When asked if the success of these associate nations would attract more viewers to the ETPL, Jonty agreed, stating, "Everyone loves the underdog," and noted that Indian fans would appreciate the league's unique offerings, which spotlight lesser-known players.

He elaborated, "The fact that Italy performed well in the T20 World Cup, along with Ireland, Netherlands, and Scotland, has sparked conversations about them. In India, where cricket is immensely popular, the introduction of another league might raise questions, but Indians are drawn to unique and different experiences. My own journey since 1992 reflects that appeal for the unconventional."

Jonty highlighted that associate nations often enter major ICC tournaments as underdogs, and their recent T20 World Cup performances have brought attention to players like Shadley van Schalkwyk (US), Bas de Leede (Netherlands), Ben Maneti (Italy), Crishun Kalugamage (Italy), and Deepindra Singh Airee (Nepal). The ETPL aims to keep these talents visible and provide them with opportunities for growth.

"The T20 World Cup was thrilling because it introduced names that were previously unknown. We want to follow their development. The ETPL will serve as a platform for them to enhance their skills and not just be a fleeting presence during World Cups," he stated.

The announcement of the Rotterdam franchise adds to the impressive ownership lineup in the league. The Amsterdam franchise is supported by Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh and hockey star Jamie Dwyer, while Belfast is co-owned by Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Former New Zealand players Kyle Mills and Nathan McCullum back the Edinburgh franchise, and West Indies icon Chris Gayle co-owns Glasgow.

Jonty, Faf, and Klaasen's involvement as co-owners stems from Jonty's desire to contribute to the league and enhance South African representation.

"Having been a player and coach, this is my first experience as a co-owner, which is both exciting and new. Madhukar Shree and I have collaborated since 2020 on the commercial side of cricket, discussing how to engage with a franchise beyond just employment," he explained.

Bringing in Faf, who remains active in T20s, and Klaasen, who retired from international cricket last year, was strategic to ensure they have equity and ownership in their team while still playing.

"We aimed to establish a strong South African presence in our team. Faf is still in excellent shape and form, and we hope to entice him to join our setup. Once he retires, he can transition into a different role within the organization as a co-owner," he added.

"Klaasen, being the highest retained international player for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, was also a target for us. We wanted him to play for our team while offering him equity as part of his compensation. Faf's role as a captain and co-owner is unique, while I will step back from coaching to allow the players to thrive," he concluded.

Discussing the potential impact of the new franchise on Dutch cricket, Jonty noted that while the Netherlands is competitive, the lack of consistent high-level cricket has hindered their growth. The ETPL aims to bridge this gap by providing quality cricket and training opportunities.

"The key is the volume of cricket played. The Netherlands has proven competitive, even defeating South Africa in recent World Cups. However, their development is stunted due to insufficient competitive play between World Cups. The ETPL will create a platform for young players to engage in high-level cricket and learn from international stars and coaches," he stated.

"This initiative will not only benefit the Netherlands but also Scotland and Ireland, providing a stepping stone for players to transition to international cricket more smoothly. The ETPL aims to offer high-intensity cricket beyond just the four-week tournament, allowing players to train and develop throughout the year," he continued.

Jonty also praised Klaasen's impressive form in the ongoing IPL season with SRH, attributing it to a less demanding schedule compared to international cricket.

Klaasen currently ranks among the top run-scorers in IPL 2026, amassing 414 runs in nine innings at an average of 59.14 and a strike rate of 157.14, including four fifties. Despite retiring from international cricket, he continues to thrive in the T20 circuit.

Jonty emphasized that taking time away from the game to focus on family and personal well-being has contributed to Klaasen's success.

"His current form in T20 cricket may stem from enjoying the reduced pressure. International cricket offers little downtime," he remarked.

Reflecting on discussions leading to the acquisition of the Rotterdam franchise, Jonty noted the importance of players having time away from the intense international schedule, which features an ICC event every year.

"Klaasen's freedom to play without the pressures of international cricket may be why he is performing so well. We have seen players like Quinton de Kock retire and return to international cricket successfully. Providing players with a break is crucial for their emotional and mental health," he added.

With the Cricket World Cup set to take place in South Africa next year, co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia, the Proteas are determined to overcome their history of near misses in limited-overs cricket. They recently reached the T20 World Cup semifinals, where they lost to New Zealand.

When asked about the Proteas' goals, Jonty simply stated, "Get to the final and win it. That's all there is to it."