Rahul Dravid Named Co-Owner of Dublin Guardians in European T20 Premier League
Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid has been announced as co-owner of the Dublin Guardians, a franchise in the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL). Scheduled to debut in 2026, the league features six teams across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, aiming to expand cricket’s footprint in Europe. Dravid, part of an Indian consortium, will focus on off-field management while Ravichandran Ashwin captains the team. This high-profile investment, alongside other international stars, seeks to nurture local talent and establish a sustainable professional cricket infrastructure in the region.
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Rahul Dravid Clarifies Role as ETPL Franchise Owner, Rules Out Dugout Presence
Former Indian cricket head coach Rahul Dravid has been announced as an owner of the Dublin Guardians franchise in the European T20 League (ETPL). In a recent interview, Dravid clarified his operational role, stating he will not be involved in day-to-day cricketing decisions or appear in the dugout during matches. Instead, his focus will remain on franchise-level management and assembling a supportive structure around the team. The Guardians have appointed veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as captain, granting him complete freedom to lead and manage the team alongside selected experts. Dravid expressed confidence in the ETPL's potential to carve out a unique space in the crowded global T20 landscape. He highlighted the rich cricketing history and existing talent pool in Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands as foundational assets. By leveraging local clubs and a captive audience, including Indian professionals playing in the region, Dravid believes the league can build a sustainable following. His strategy emphasizes empowering cricketing experts to handle on-field performance while he manages off-field business priorities, ensuring a clear division of responsibilities within the new franchise.
The Indian ExpressRahul Dravid Invests in European T20 League to Boost Cricket Growth
Former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid has acquired the Dublin franchise in the newly launched European T20 Premier League (ETPL), aiming to establish cricket within Europe's soccer-dominated sports landscape. The six-team league, supported by the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, features teams in Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. Dravid views this investment not as a speculative venture but as a strategic opportunity to provide local talent with exposure to world-class coaching and competition. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will serve as captain and mentor for the Dublin Guardians. Dravid argues that unlike leagues in the U.S. or Gulf states, which rely heavily on the South Asian diaspora, the ETPL focuses on nurturing indigenous European talent. He cites New Zealand as a model for how smaller cricketing nations can become competitive globally. The league includes other high-profile co-owners such as Steve Waugh, Faf du Plessis, and Chris Gayle, with matches scheduled for August and September. Dravid predicts that with proper resources, European countries could challenge traditional cricket powerhouses within a decade.
Latest NewsRahul Dravid Becomes Owner of Dublin Guardians in European T20 League
Former Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid has officially been unveiled as the owner of the Dublin Guardians, a franchise in the newly launched European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The announcement, made in Dublin, completes the six-team structure for Europe's first ICC-sanctioned multi-country T20 league, scheduled to begin in 2026. Despite his significant financial investment and decades of experience as a player and coach, Dravid stated he will not involve himself in day-to-day cricketing operations, such as attending practices or sitting in the dugout. Instead, he plans to focus on off-field franchise management while empowering team captain and mentor Ravichandran Ashwin to lead on-field strategies. The ETPL features a star-studded lineup of international co-owners, including Abhishek Bachchan, Glenn Maxwell, Chris Gayle, and Steve Waugh, across teams based in Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. The league aims to provide Associate Nation players with opportunities to compete alongside global stars like Mitchell Marsh and Heinrich Klaasen, marking a significant expansion of professional cricket into new European markets.
India Today | Latest StoriesRahul Dravid Acquires Dublin Guardians in ETPL; Ravichandran Ashwin Named Captain
Amid the ongoing IPL 2026 season, former Indian cricketer and Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid has acquired the Dublin franchise in the newly launched European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The team, named Dublin Guardians, will be captained by experienced Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. The announcement was made in Dublin with Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan in attendance. The ETPL, scheduled for August and September 2026, represents Europe's first cross-border franchise cricket model, established in partnership with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association. The league features six teams based in Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. With Dravid's acquisition, the ownership lineup for all six franchises is now complete. Other notable international stars associated with the league include Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, and Faf du Plessis. Former Australian captain Steve Waugh is part of the ownership group for the Amsterdam Flames, while Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills own the Edinburgh Castle Rockers. This development marks a significant expansion of franchise cricket into the European market, leveraging high-profile Indian cricket personalities to drive interest and legitimacy.
India Today | Latest StoriesRahul Dravid Becomes Owner of Dublin Guardians in European T20 Premier League
Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid has officially entered the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) as the owner of the Dublin Guardians franchise. This announcement, made at a landmark event in Dublin, finalizes the league's six-team structure ahead of its scheduled 2026 debut. The ETPL aims to establish Europe as a new growth market for franchise T20 cricket by strengthening grassroots development and creating pathways for emerging talent across Ireland and the continent. Dravid cited the league's vision and Dublin's passionate cricketing community as key motivations for his investment. The league features a cross-border franchise model involving teams from Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. It is backed by prominent international stars such as Glenn Maxwell, Chris Gayle, Steve Waugh, and Jonty Rhodes, who are associated with various franchises. Launched in partnership with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association, the ETPL seeks to bridge the gap between Associate nations and top-tier international cricket while tapping into the commercial potential of new European markets.
India Today | Latest StoriesRahul Dravid Unveiled as Owner of ETPL's Dublin Guardians
Former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid has been officially unveiled as the owner of the Dublin Guardians, a new franchise in the Emerging Teams Premier League (ETPL). This announcement highlights the growing trend of former and current international cricketers investing in sports franchises. The league itself features a high-profile ownership structure, co-owned by Bollywood superstar Abhishek Bachchan, which underscores the increasing intersection between entertainment and professional sports in the region. The involvement of such prominent figures aims to boost the league's visibility and commercial appeal. By securing ownership stakes, legendary players like Dravid are transitioning from their on-field careers to influential roles in sports management and business. This development is significant for the cricketing community, as it suggests a robust future for emerging leagues that leverage the star power of iconic athletes. The Dublin Guardians will join other franchises owned by notable personalities, creating a competitive and star-studded environment within the ETPL. This move not only solidifies Dravid's legacy beyond his playing days but also signals strong investor confidence in the expanding cricket ecosystem.
Cricket news from ESPN Cricinfo.comRahul Dravid to Co-own Dublin Guardians in New European T20 League
Former India captain and coach Rahul Dravid has been announced as a co-owner of the Dublin franchise, named the Dublin Guardians, in the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL). The 53-year-old cricket legend is part of an Indian consortium that acquired the team for the tournament scheduled to launch in September 2026. Dravid expressed enthusiasm about nurturing the next generation of cricketers within Dublin's passionate community. The ETPL features six teams based in major European cities, including Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. Several other high-profile former cricketers are involved as owners, such as Chris Gayle (Glasgow), Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes, and Heinrich Klaasen (Rotterdam), Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills (Edinburgh), Glenn Maxwell (Belfast), and Steve Waugh (Amsterdam). The league is backed by the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, with Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan among its founders. This development marks a significant expansion of T20 cricket infrastructure in Europe, leveraging the star power of international cricket icons to drive growth and engagement in the region.
Latest NewsRahul Dravid Named Co-Owner of Dublin Guardians in European T20 Premier League
India cricket legend and former national coach Rahul Dravid has been announced as the co-owner of the Dublin Guardians, the final franchise in the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL). Dravid joins an Indian consortium that acquired the team, marking a significant development for the league aimed at expanding cricket's footprint in Europe. The ETPL is a collaborative effort involving the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, featuring six teams across major cities including Dublin, Amsterdam, and Glasgow. Former Indian star Ravichandran Ashwin will captain the Dublin Guardians. The league, which also counts Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan as a part-owner, has secured £11.1 million in franchise sales over a ten-year period. The inaugural tournament is scheduled to run from August 26 to September 20, with matches held in The Hague and Dublin. Cricket Ireland chair Brian MacNeice hailed the involvement of high-profile figures like Dravid as a landmark moment for European cricket, emphasizing the potential for growth and increased visibility of the sport in the region.
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