Former Indian cricket stars set to enter franchise ownership in ETPL

Indian cricket legends Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin are reportedly set to enter franchise ownership in the newly launched European T20 Premier League, marking another significant step in the global expansion of franchise cricket.

According to reports, the two former India stars are part of an Indian consortium that has agreed to acquire the Glasgow-based franchise in the six-team tournament. The inaugural edition of the league is scheduled to take place later this year, with teams representing cities from Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands.

The ETPL has already attracted attention from several high-profile investors. Reports suggest that a South African investor group led by Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen and Jonty Rhodes is set to purchase the Rotterdam-based Dutch franchise. Meanwhile, franchises in Amsterdam, Belfast and Edinburgh have already been sold to investors from Australia and New Zealand earlier this year.

The ETPL is being organised in collaboration with the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands. Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan is also involved in the league as a co-owner alongside sports investment company Rules Sport Tech.

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Franchises in the tournament have reportedly been sold for around £11.1 million over a 10-year period, with each team expected to operate with a salary budget of approximately £1.1 million per season.

Ashwin’s involvement has also sparked speculation about whether the veteran off-spinner could feature as a player in the tournament. The 39-year-old retired from international cricket in 2024 and has previously expressed interest in participating in overseas T20 leagues.

Dravid’s association with the Glasgow franchise is particularly interesting given his historical connection with Scottish cricket. The former India head coach played for Scotland as an overseas professional in 2003 during their participation in English county competitions.

With major cricketing names entering franchise ownership, the ETPL is shaping up to become an exciting new addition to the global T20 league landscape.