Reports: Rahul Dravid, Ravichandran Ashwin set to become franchise owners in European T20 Premier League

Former India cricketers Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin are reportedly set to become franchise owners in the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), adding significant star power to the tournament ahead of its inaugural season. The competition is scheduled to begin in August and is expected to feature teams representing several European cricket markets.

According to a report by BBC, an Indian-based consortium that includes Dravid and Ashwin has agreed to acquire a Glasgow-based franchise in the league. The same group is also set to take ownership of a Dutch-based team, indicating strong Indian involvement in the development of the new European cricket competition.

Meanwhile, a separate consortium with South African investors is also entering the league, featuring notable cricket personalities such as Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen and Jonty Rhodes. Additional franchise announcements are expected later this month.

Dravid’s connection with Scottish cricket dates back more than two decades. The former India head coach had a memorable stint playing for Scotland in the 2003 English one-day competition, turning out in 11 matches in the second division of the National Cricket League.

During that brief period, Dravid delivered an outstanding batting performance, scoring 600 runs at an average of 66.66. His tally included three centuries and two half-centuries, achieved at an impressive strike rate of 92.73. One of his most memorable innings came against Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, where he produced a fluent knock of 114 runs.

Interestingly, former Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer played alongside Dravid during that season. Although Scotland managed only one victory in the tournament, Dravid’s contribution with the bat stood out as one of the highlights of their campaign.

Ashwin’s involvement in the ETPL adds another layer of intrigue. The 39-year-old retired from international cricket in December 2024 and stepped away from the Indian Premier League the following year, but had expressed interest in participating in global franchise leagues. His role as a franchise owner raises the possibility that he could also feature as a player, which would provide a significant boost to the league’s profile.

Ashwin had previously signed a deal to play for Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League, potentially becoming the first India-capped international to participate in the tournament. However, a knee injury sustained during training in Chennai last December forced him to withdraw, and he has been undergoing rehabilitation since surgery. Whether Ashwin will be fit enough to play in the ETPL remains uncertain, but his involvement as an owner has already generated considerable anticipation ahead of the league’s launch.