Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan has made his entry into the world of cricket by investing in the European Premier T20 League (ETPL), an ICC sanctioned tournament. This league is a joint effort of Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, with the aim of putting European cricket on the global map. ETPL will run from July 15 to August 3.
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 has steadily increased. The league will have 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 boundaries. The ETPL is the ideal platform to showcase cricket's growing global appeal. With the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympics, its popularity will further increase. I am humbled and excited about this unique collaboration between the cricket boards of Ireland, ScotlandAND Netherlands. This is just the beginning. It's 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 has been led by an interim working group consisting of representatives from participating cricket boards and strategic partner, Rules Sport Tech. Their collective efforts have laid the foundation for what promises to be a historic event in European cricket.
Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland and chairman of the ETPL, expressed his enthusiasm for Abhishek's involvement. “His deep passion for the sport and entrepreneurial acumen add tremendous value to our vision to raise the status and profile of European cricket. With the support of the ICC, Abhishek's commitment to our shared vision, along with 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 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 ICC's plan to promote Cricket in less popular areas.
Saurav Banerjee, Director of ETPL, highlighted the tremendous 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 a great sport here, building a legacy that players, fans and stakeholders can celebrate with pride. This would not be 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 sport and active involvement has been truly inspiring.
The official ETPL 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, Australiaand England are some of the main markets. Abhishek's deep passion for the sport 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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