Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin Join Forces in European T20 Premier League
Dravid and Ashwin Unite for ETPL
Renowned Indian cricket icons Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin are set to reunite as they join the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), which is scheduled to kick off later this year. This inaugural season will feature teams from various European cities. The league is under the ownership of Rules Sports Tech, an Indian enterprise, with Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan as a co-owner. Dravid and Ashwin are part of an Indian consortium that has secured one of the six franchises, specifically the one based in Glasgow, Scotland. The league was officially announced in January 2026, with the first matches expected to commence soon. Previously, the league had revealed the owners of three teams, including the Amsterdam Flames, owned by Australia's 1999 World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh along with Jamie Dyer and Tim Thomas. The Edinburgh Castle Rockers are owned by former New Zealand captains Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills, while the Irish Wolves, located in Belfast, are backed by Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell and businessman Rohan Lund. Additionally, a team in Rotterdam has been acquired by former South African players Jonty Rhodes, Heinrich Klaasen, and Faf du Plessis.
Potential Comeback for Ashwin?
Reports indicate that Ashwin may also take the field for the Glasgow franchise in the league. Although the 39-year-old retired from international cricket in 2024 and concluded his IPL career in 2025, he has expressed a desire to participate in franchise cricket abroad. Last year, he signed with the Sydney Thunder for the Big Bash League (BBL), but a knee injury prevented him from playing. He also entered the ILT20 auction.
Dravid's Connection to Scotland
This isn't Dravid's first professional engagement in Scotland. The cricket legend previously played for the Scottish national team during the 2003 season in the National Cricket League as an overseas player, participating in 11 matches and scoring 600 runs.
The Bond Between Dravid and Ashwin
Dravid and Ashwin have maintained a strong relationship over the years. Dravid was part of the Indian team when Ashwin made his Test debut, and later, Ashwin became a crucial player during Dravid's tenure as head coach of the national team.