Rahul Dravid announced as co-owner of Dublin franchise in ETPL

Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid has been named co-owner of a Dublin-based franchise in the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), marking a significant development for the growing tournament.

Dravid is part of an Indian consortium that has acquired ownership of the Dublin team, which will compete under the name Dublin Guardians in the new league. His involvement is being viewed as a major boost for the competition, given his stature as one of India’s most respected cricket figures and former national coach.

The 53-year-old, who represented India in 164 Test matches and 344 One-Day Internationals, and later served as head coach of the national team from 2021 to 2024, expressed enthusiasm about his new role in European cricket.

Dravid said he was excited by the opportunity, highlighting the passion for cricket in Europe and the growing talent emerging from the region. He added that grassroots development and the rise of T20 cricket in global tournaments show strong potential for expansion, with hopes of seeing more players reach the international stage.

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will lead the Dublin Guardians as captain. Ashwin, who retired from Test cricket in December 2024 and stepped away from the Indian Premier League, is now available to participate in global franchise leagues.

The ETPL is being developed in partnership with cricket boards from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. The league will feature six teams based in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

The project also includes involvement from Bollywood actor and producer Abhishek Bachchan, who is a co-owner within the league structure alongside Rules Sport Tech, an Indian private company.

Franchise rights were reportedly sold for around £11.1 million ($15 million) over a 10-year period. The inaugural season is scheduled to run from August 26 to September 20, with matches to be held in Dublin and The Hague.

Cricket Ireland officials have described the development as a major milestone for European cricket, noting that the involvement of high-profile global figures is expected to significantly boost the sport’s visibility and growth across the region.