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 global map. The ETPL is scheduled to 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, with the sport steadily growing in popularity. 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 unified force that transcends borders. The ETPL is an ideal platform to showcase the growing global appeal of cricket. With the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympic Games, its popularity will increase even more. I am humbled and excited by this unique collaboration between the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotlandand Holland. “This is just the beginning. It's time to roll up our sleeves and start playing.”
Read also: WATCH: Heated Babar-Mulder exchange sparks drama on day three in Cape Town
Strong support from key stakeholders
The development of the league was 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 foundation for what promises to be a historic event in European cricket.
Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland and Chairman of ETPL, expressed his enthusiasm for Abhishek's participation. “His deep passion for the sport and entrepreneurial acumen add tremendous value to our vision to raise the profile and profile of European cricket. With the support of the ICC, Abhishek's commitment to our shared vision, coupled with the exceptional expertise that Rules Sport Tech's Sourav, Priyanka and Dheeraj bring to the tournament, we believe we can create an experience Cricket raises the level of 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 superstar like Abhishek Bachchan is likely to attract a lot of attention from both fans and the media. This is in line with ICC's plan to promote cricket in less popular areas.
Sourav Banerjee, Director, ETPL, highlighted the huge potential of the European market. “Cricket, the second most watched sport in the world, is gaining huge momentum in Europe. With 34 of the 108 ICC members from this region, we aim to make cricket a mainstream sport here, building a legacy that players, fans and owners can enjoy.” “Celebrating it with pride 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 and we also look forward to working closely with Abhishek, whose commitment to the sport and active involvement has been inspiring.” truly.
The ETPL's official launch event will reveal more details, including franchise ownership, team names, and player draft information. Priyanka Cole, another Director at ETPL, added: “Starting with six teams – Dublin, Belfast, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Edinburgh and Glasgow – and with leading media partners ensuring widespread coverage, the tournament will reach audiences across the globe, with Europe, India, Australiaand England are some of the major markets. Abhishek's deep passion for sports and his enthusiasm for this initiative is invaluable. We look forward to continuing this exciting collaboration with him on this journey.
Stay updated with all the cricket happenings, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, twitter, cableand Instagram
