Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan entered the world of cricket by investing in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), an ICC-sanctioned tournament. This league is a joint effort between Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, with the aim of putting European cricket on the world map. ETPL is scheduled to run from July 15th to August 3rd.
A bold move for European cricket
The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is expected to reshape the cricket landscape in Europe, where the popularity of the sport is 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 is a unifying force that transcends borders. 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 increase. I am humbled and excited about this unique collaboration between cricket boards Ireland, Scotlandand The Netherlands. This is just the beginning. Time to roll up our sleeves and let the games begin.”
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Strong support from key stakeholders
The development of the league was driven by an ad hoc working group consisting of representatives from participating cricket boards and strategic partner, Rules Sport Tech. Their joint efforts have laid the foundation for what promises to be a landmark event in European cricket.
Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland and Chairman of the ETPL, expressed his delight at Abhishek’s engagement. “His deep passion for the sport and entrepreneurial acumen add enormous value to our vision of raising the status and profile of European cricket. With the support of the ICC, Abhishek’s commitment to our shared vision, and the exceptional expertise brought to the tournament by Saurav, Priyanka and Dhiraj of 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 cricket stage,” he said.
A new chapter for cricket in Europe
The addition of a Bollywood star like Abhishek Bachchan is likely to attract a lot of attention from fans and media alike. This is in line with the ICC’s plan to promote cricket in less popular areas.
Saurav Banerjee, director of ETPL, highlighted the huge potential of the European market. “Cricket, the second most watched sport in the world, is gaining significant momentum in Europe. With 34 of the 108 ICC members from this region, we aim to make cricket the premier 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 worked tirelessly with us over the past year to make this happen. We also look forward to working closely with Abhishek, whose commitment to the sport and active participation is truly inspiring.”
The ETPL’s official unveiling will reveal more details, including franchise ownership, team names and player draft information. Priyanka Kaul, another director of the ETPL, added: “Starting with six teams — Dublin, Belfast, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Edinburgh and Glasgow — and with prominent media partners ensuring wide coverage, the tournament will reach audiences around the world, with Europe, India, Australiaand England is one of the key markets. Abhishek’s deep passion for the sport and enthusiasm in this initiative was invaluable. We look forward to continuing this exciting collaboration with him on this journey.”
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