Rahul Dravid Becomes Owner of ETPL's Dublin Guardians Team Rahul Dravid, the former India cricket captain and T20 World Cup-winning coach, has been announced as the owner of the Dublin Guardians, one of the six teams in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The league, set to launch in August 2026, will feature franchises from Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. This marks the first ICC-sanctioned multi-country franchise T20 league in Europe, organized in partnership with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association. Dravid’s ownership of the Dublin Guardians aligns with his long-standing commitment to cricket development. In a statement, he emphasized the league’s potential to grow the sport in Europe by fostering grassroots initiatives and creating pathways for emerging talent across Ireland and the continent. “Dublin already has a passionate cricketing community and enormous potential for growth,” he said. “Nurturing the next generation has always been important to me, and I believe ETPL can play a meaningful role in that journey.” The ETPL’s ownership structure includes a mix of cricketing legends and Bollywood personalities. Alongside Dravid, the league is co-owned by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan. Other notable owners include Glenn Maxwell (co-owner of the Irish Wolves), Steve Waugh (Amsterdam Flames), Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills (Edinburgh Castle Rockers), Chris Gayle (Glasgow Cosmic), and Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis, and Heinrich Klaasen (Rotterdam Dockers). Du Plessis and Maxwell will also participate as players, joining a roster that includes Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, Mitchell Santner, and Liam Livingstone.#rahul_dravid #dublin_guardians #etpl #cricket_ireland #cricket_scotland
Rahul Dravid Acquires Dublin Guardians Franchise for European T20 Tournament India cricket icon Rahul Dravid has secured a significant role in the expansion of global cricket by becoming co-owner of the Dublin Guardians, the final franchise for the European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The 53-year-old, renowned for his illustrious playing career and subsequent coaching tenure with the Indian national team from 2021 to 2024, has joined an Indian consortium to acquire the team, which will compete in the inaugural edition of the tournament. Dravid’s involvement marks a pivotal moment for the ETPL, which aims to elevate the profile of T20 cricket across Europe. Dravid, who played 164 Test matches and 344 one-day internationals for India, expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, stating, “It’s absolutely brilliant to be involved. When I first heard about this it was really exciting.” He highlighted his admiration for the passion and energy of European cricket, emphasizing the potential for growth and development. “I’ve seen the passion of grassroots cricket and the talent showcased in the T20 World Cup. That’s something we can grow and build. It would be a dream to see the talent on the world stage.” The Dublin Guardians will be captained by former India spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired from Test cricket in December 2024 and stepped away from the Indian Premier League last summer. Ashwin’s transition to the ETPL aligns with his desire to continue competing at the highest level while contributing to the league’s growth. His leadership is expected to bring a blend of experience and strategic acumen to the team.#ravichandran_ashwin #rahul_dravid #dublin_guardians #etpl #cricket_ireland
