Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan has made his entry into the cricket world by investing in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), an ICC-approved tournament. This league is a joint effort by Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, with the goal of putting European cricket on the global map. The ETPL is set to run from 15th July to 3rd August.
A Bold Move for European Cricket
The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is expected to reshape the cricket landscape in Europe, where the sport’s popularity has been steadily growing. The league will feature six franchise teams representing major cities:
1. Dublin
2. Belfast
3. Amsterdam
4. Rotterdam
5. Edinburgh
6. Glasgow
Speaking about his decision to co-own the ETPL, Abhishek said, “Cricket is not just a sport; it’s a unifying force that transcends boundaries. The ETPL is the ideal platform to showcase cricket’s growing global appeal. With cricket being included in the 2028 Olympics, its popularity will further surge. I’m humbled and excited about this unique collaboration between the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. This is just the beginning. It’s time to roll up our sleeves and let the games begin.”
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Strong Backing from Key Stakeholders
The league’s development has been driven by an interim working group consisting of representatives from the participating cricket boards and strategic partner, Rules Sport Tech. Their collective efforts have laid the groundwork for what promises to be a landmark event in European cricket.
Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland and chair of the ETPL, expressed his enthusiasm for Abhishek’s involvement. “His deep passion for sports and entrepreneurial acumen add tremendous value to our vision of elevating the status and profile of European cricket. With ICC’s support, Abhishek’s commitment to our shared vision, alongside the exceptional expertise brought to the tournament by Saurav, Priyanka, and Dhiraj from Rules Sport Tech, we believe we can create a cricket experience that elevates the game, inspires young talent, and provides a tremendous platform for European cricket on the global cricketing stage,” he said.
A New Chapter for Cricket in Europe
The addition of a Bollywood star like Abhishek Bachchan is likely to draw plenty of attention from both fans and the media. This aligns with ICC’s plan of promoting Cricket in less popular areas.
Saurav Banerjee, Director of ETPL, highlighted the immense potential of the European market. “Cricket, the second most-watched sport globally, is gaining significant momentum in Europe. With 34 out of 108 ICC members from this region, we aim to make cricket a major sport here, building a legacy that players, fans, and stakeholders can proudly celebrate. This would not have been possible without the support of Cricket Ireland, who have been tirelessly working with us over the last year to make this happen. We also look forward to working closely with Abhishek, whose commitment to sports and active involvement has been truly inspiring.”
The ETPL’s formal launch event will reveal more details, including franchise ownership, team names, and player draft information. Priyanka Kaul, another Director at ETPL, added, “Starting with six teams—Dublin, Belfast, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Edinburgh, and Glasgow—and with prominent media partners ensuring extensive coverage, the tournament will reach audiences worldwide, with Europe, India, Australia, and England being some of the key markets. Abhishek’s deep passion for sports and enthusiasm in this initiative have been invaluable. We look forward to continuing this exciting collaboration with him on this journey.”
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