Abhishek Bachchan Envisions ETPL as Europe's Premier T20 Cricket League
Bollywood Star's Ambition for ETPL
Abhishek Bachchan, a prominent figure in Bollywood and one of the co-founders of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), expressed his hopes for the league to deliver thrilling entertainment and showcase exceptional cricket. He aims for the ETPL to evolve into a highly anticipated event on the cricket calendar.
Introducing ETPL: A Groundbreaking ICC-Approved T20 League
The ETPL is a newly established franchise-based cricket tournament designed to enhance the popularity of cricket throughout Europe. It is set to feature international cricket stars such as Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, and Glenn Maxwell, providing a unique platform for emerging players from Europe and Associate Nations to compete alongside renowned athletes. Supported by Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB), the league has received official approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC), marking it as one of the first major ICC-sanctioned franchise T20 leagues in Europe. The tournament is scheduled to run from August 26 to September 20, 2026, and has already garnered interest from notable figures in cricket and global investment.
Bachchan's Vision for a World-Class Tournament
The ETPL boasts an impressive roster of cricket legends, including Rahul Dravid, Glenn Maxwell, and Chris Gayle. In a recent interview, Abhishek Bachchan articulated his ambition to create a world-class cricket tournament in Europe featuring top-tier international talent. He is optimistic that the league's strong player lineup reflects its ambitious goals. Bachchan envisions the ETPL as a source of high-quality, entertaining cricket that will become one of the most awaited events in the cricketing calendar in the coming years.
"The expectation should be to establish a world-class cricket tournament in Europe. With the caliber of players already signed, I believe we can achieve this. The presence of top cricketing talent speaks volumes about our intentions. We aim for an entertaining tournament with exceptional cricket. In three to five years, I hope ETPL will still be a highly anticipated event on the cricket calendar," he stated.
Star-Studded Ownership and Franchise Details
The ETPL will feature a total of 33 matches across six city-based franchises: Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, and Rotterdam. Notably, the Dublin franchise is owned by Rahul Dravid, while Glenn Maxwell and Rohan Lund back the Belfast franchise. The Edinburgh franchise is owned by Kyle Mills, Nathan McCullum, and Rachel Wiseman. The Glasgow franchise is co-owned by Vipul Aggarwal and Chris Gayle. The Amsterdam franchise includes Steve Waugh, Jamie Dwyer, and Tim Thomas, while the Rotterdam franchise is backed by Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis, Glashin, and Samir Shah, with Madhukar Shree as the Managing Partner.
Credibility from Cricketing Legends
Bachchan emphasized that the involvement of cricketing icons like Steve Waugh, Jonty Rhodes, and Rahul Dravid significantly enhances the credibility and expertise of the ETPL. He expressed pride in having such esteemed figures associated with the tournament.
"Having individuals like Steve Waugh, Jonty Rhodes, and Rahul Dravid brings immense quality and experience to the league. Their insights will shape how the tournament is conducted. We are honored to have them on board, as their cricketing knowledge is invaluable to our vision," he remarked.
Strong Organizational Support and Partnerships
The ETPL is a collaborative effort between Cricket Ireland and Rules Global (Rules X). Co-founded and co-owned by Cricket Ireland, Abhishek Bachchan, Saurav Banerjee, Priyanka Kaul, and Dhiraj Malhotra, the league is being developed in partnership with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association.