Rahul Dravid Takes Ownership in New European T20 League
Rahul Dravid's New Role in European T20 League
A new league is set to launch in Europe, featuring one of India's cricket legends, Rahul Dravid. In this league, Dravid will take on the role of team owner for the Dublin Guardians, a franchise in the European T20 Premier League.
Six Teams to Compete in ETPL
On May 11, the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) officially announced Dravid's involvement. The league, which is set to commence in 2026, will feature six franchises. During a grand event held in Dublin, Dravid was introduced as the owner of the Dublin franchise, attended by numerous prominent figures from the cricket and entertainment industries. Notable personalities such as Abhishek Bachchan, Chris Gayle, Jonty Rhodes, Glenn Maxwell, and Faf du Plessis are also associated with this league.
Expressing his excitement about this new venture, Dravid mentioned that the vision behind ETPL attracted him. He believes that this league will not only provide a fresh identity to cricket in Europe but also serve as an excellent platform for young players to advance. Dravid emphasized the passion for cricket in Dublin and the immense potential for growth in the region. He has always prioritized nurturing the next generation and sees ETPL playing a significant role in this journey. Abhishek Bachchan remarked that having a player of Dravid's caliber associated with the league is a remarkable milestone for ETPL, marking a significant step towards expanding cricket in Europe.
Star Power in ETPL
The ETPL is being launched in collaboration with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association. This league will be the first ICC-recognized multi-country franchise T20 league in Europe, featuring teams from Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. Many renowned cricket stars are expected to participate, including Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, Mitchell Santner, Liam Livingstone, Glenn Maxwell, Heinrich Klaasen, and Faf du Plessis.
Franchises and Their Owners in ETPL
- Dublin Franchise: Rahul Dravid
- Belfast Franchise: Glenn Maxwell and Rohan
- Edinburgh Franchise: Kyle Mills, Nathan McCullum, and Rachel Wiseman
- Glasgow Franchise: Vipul Agarwal and Chris Gayle
- Amsterdam Franchise: Steve Waugh, Jamie Dwyer, and Tim Thomas
- Rotterdam Franchise: Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis, Glashine, and Sameer Shah, with Madhukar as Managing Partner