Cricket legends Rahul Dravid and Faf du Plessis have shared their excitement ahead of the inaugural edition of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), expressing confidence that the tournament will play a significant role in developing cricket across Europe. Both icons believe the competition will not only provide a platform for emerging talent but also help establish Europe as an important destination on the global cricketing map.
Dravid, who owns the Dublin Guardians, believes the ETPL has the potential to unlock the immense cricketing talent that already exists across the continent. His franchise will be captained by legendary India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, adding further star power to the competition. Speaking in a video shared by the ETPL, Dravid highlighted Europe’s growing passion for cricket and said the league could become a stepping stone for aspiring cricketers to showcase their skills alongside some of the biggest names in the sport.
“The ETPL is being played in a region that already has a rich tradition and history of cricket. There is a vibrant club culture here, with many local players actively involved in the game. There is tremendous passion and love for cricket across Europe, and this tournament provides a fantastic opportunity for talented players to flourish and reach the world stage,” Dravid said.
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The former India captain also stressed that entertaining fans should remain a priority for every franchise. According to him, players perform at their best when they enjoy the environment, and that positive energy naturally translates into exciting cricket on the field. “We want everyone involved to enjoy their cricket and have fun. At the same time, we want to entertain the fans and give them a memorable experience both on and off the field. When players are happy and enjoying themselves, that reflects in the quality of cricket they produce,” he added.
Meanwhile, former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who is the co-owner of the Rotterdam Dockers, revealed that two major factors convinced him to become part of the ETPL project. The first was the opportunity to contribute to the rapid growth of cricket in Europe, while the second was the chance to experience franchise ownership after years of playing in T20 leagues around the world.
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“When this opportunity came along, I immediately felt it was something special. Why wouldn’t you want to play cricket in Europe? There are incredible cities, and as a franchise cricketer, you always enjoy travelling to exciting destinations while playing the sport you love. More importantly, I believe cricket in Europe has enormous growth potential,” Faf du Plessis said.
The 41-year-old also explained that becoming a co-owner allows him to bring valuable insights gained from competing in leagues across the globe. He believes those experiences can help build a sustainable tournament where players remain committed over the long term despite the ever-expanding global T20 calendar.
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“Being involved as a co-owner is a completely different challenge. Players today have plenty of league opportunities around the world, so creating a tournament with long-term value is important. I hope to bring the best ideas from different leagues and help make the ETPL a successful and exciting competition,” he added.
The inaugural European T20 Premier League will feature six franchises and is scheduled to begin on August 26, with the final set to be played on September 20. With respected figures such as Rahul Dravid, Faf du Plessis and Ravichandran Ashwin associated with the competition, the ETPL is expected to attract significant global attention while accelerating the growth of cricket across Europe.
