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
Birthday Special: KL Rahul's Evolving Role in the Indian Team KL Rahul, a prominent figure in Indian cricket, has consistently adapted to different roles within the team, showcasing his versatility and dedication to the sport. Born on April 18, 1992, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Rahul grew up in a cricketing environment that has produced legendary players like Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, and Venkatesh Iyer. This rich legacy inspired him to pursue cricket as a career. Rahul made his first-class debut for Karnataka in 2010, quickly establishing himself as a reliable performer in domestic cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL). His ability to adapt to various formats and roles became a hallmark of his career. Initially, he played as the sixth batter in Test matches, but his role shifted over time. In ODIs, he often opened the innings, though his position has changed multiple times depending on team needs. For instance, during the 2023 ICC World Cup, he also took up wicketkeeping to provide the team with an extra batting option. Currently, Rahul bats at the top of the order in Tests and occupies the fourth or fifth position in ODIs, while he has been excluded from T20 formats for some time. His leadership qualities were also evident, as he briefly captained the Indian team across all formats. Under his captaincy, India secured 10 wins in ODIs, 2 in Tests, and 1 in T20s. However, the role eventually transitioned to other players. Rahul's career statistics reflect his consistency. In Tests, he has scored 4,053 runs from 67 matches, including 11 centuries and 20 half-centuries. In ODIs, he amassed 3,360 runs from 94 matches, with 8 centuries and 20 half-centuries, averaging 50.90. His T20 contributions include 2,265 runs from 72 matches, featuring 2 centuries and 22 half-centuries.#rahul_dravid #anil_kumble #venkatesh_iyer #indian_team #kl_rahul
First Cricketer to Take Wicket on IPL Debut: Ishant Sharma's Historic Achievement Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian batsman, became the first player to be dismissed on the very first ball of an IPL match when he was bowled by Ishant Sharma during the 2008 tournament. This historic moment occurred in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League, which was held in 2008. Dravid, then captaining the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), faced Sharma, who was playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The dismissal marked a significant milestone in IPL history, as Sharma became the first bowler to achieve this feat. The match in question was between KKR and RCB, and Sharma’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. He dismissed Dravid on the first ball of the innings, a moment that would be remembered for years. Dravid, known for his batting prowess, was caught off the first delivery bowled by Sharma, which was a rare occurrence. This incident not only highlighted Sharma’s skill but also set a precedent for future IPL players. In 2026, the record was matched by Gurjapnit Singh, who took the wicket of Akshar Patel on his IPL debut. Patel, a Delhi Capitals player, was dismissed by Singh in the first over of the match. This achievement made Singh the 11th bowler to accomplish this feat in IPL history. The list of such players includes names like Ishant Sharma, Wilkin Mota, S. Vidyut, Ravi Teja, Shane Harwood, Amit Singh, Charl Langeveldt, Kevin Petersen, Ali Murtaza, TP Sudhindra, Adam Gilchrist, Hanuma Vihari, Alzarri Joseph, Devdutt Padikkal, Mathew Pather, Ashwini Kumar, and Gurjapnit Singh. Ishant Sharma’s achievement in 2008 was a defining moment for his career. He was signed by KKR for a then-record price of 3.81 crore rupees.#kolkata_knight_riders #rahul_dravid #royal_challengers_bangalore #ipl #ishant_sharma
Mohammad Amir Breaks Silence On India's T20 World Cup 2026 Win After Predictions Backfire India’s victory in the 2026 T20 World Cup, where they defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final, has sparked reactions from former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir. Amir, who had previously predicted that India would not reach the semifinals, found himself in the spotlight after his forecasts proved incorrect. His comments during the post-match show Harna Maana Hai highlighted his frustration with the team’s success. Amir initially gained attention for accurately predicting India’s loss to South Africa in the Super 8 stage, a result that led to his fellow panelists on Pakistan TV jokingly referring to him as an “astrologer.” However, his confidence wavered when he forecast India’s elimination from the tournament. This proved to be a misstep, as India progressed to the semifinals and eventually claimed the title. During the post-match segment, Amir was asked about India’s triumph and responded with a mix of sarcasm and disappointment. He remarked, “They won, that’s fine; they’ll take the cup home. They won’t bring it to my house. Well done…” India’s victory marked their third T20 World Cup title, making them the first team to achieve this feat and the first to defend their title at home. The final victory over New Zealand, a 96-run margin, solidified their dominance. Coach Gautam Gambhir credited the team’s success to the players and acknowledged the contributions of past legends. He stated, “My accountability is not for people on Social Media. My accountability is to those 30 people in that change room,” emphasizing his focus on the team’s performance. Gambhir also dedicated the win to Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, recognizing their roles in shaping the team’s success.#india #new_zealand #gautam_gambhir #mohammad_amir #rahul_dravid
Arjun Tendulkar And Saaniya Chandhok's Wedding : अर्जुन तेंडुलकर-सानिया चांडोक लग्नबंधनात! पहिला फोटो आला समोर या दिग्गज क्रिकेटरनं शेअर केला खास फोटो Arjun Tendulkar, son of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, married Saaniya Chandhok on March 5, 2026, in a grand ceremony at the Saint Regis Hotel in Mumbai. The wedding was held in a royal setup, drawing attention from prominent figures across cricket, business, politics, and Bollywood. Many esteemed guests attended the event, including former cricketers like Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, and Anil Kumble. Suresh Rain, a former cricketer, shared a special photo of Arjun and Saaniya with the Tendulkar family at the wedding venue. The image captured the couple’s first glimpse of their new life together. Arjun wore a traditional red kurta for the ceremony, while Saaniya opted for a red saree, completing her wedding look. Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anjali also attended the event, dressed in traditional attire that reflected the cultural significance of the occasion. The wedding marked a significant milestone for the Tendulkar family, blending cricketing legacy with personal celebration. The event highlighted the close-knit relationships within the cricketing community and the broader entertainment industry. Attendees included not only sports icons but also business leaders and celebrities, underscoring the event’s popularity and cultural impact. The couple’s choice of attire, rooted in traditional Indian fashion, emphasized the importance of heritage in their union. Arjun’s red kurta and Saaniya’s saree were described as perfect representations of their wedding style. The ceremony’s royal ambiance and the presence of high-profile guests underscored the significance of the occasion, which was celebrated as a blend of tradition and modernity.#arjun_tendulkar #sachin_tendulkar #saaniya_chandhok #ms_dhoni #rahul_dravid
