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. The ETPL will be held 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 sport’s popularity has been steadily growing. The league will have six franchise teams that will represent the main cities:
1. Dublin
2.Belfast
3. Amsterdam
4. Rotterdam
5. Edinburgh
6.Glasgow
Talking 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 the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympics, its popularity will increase further. I am honored and excited by this unique collaboration between the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands. This is just the beginning. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and let the games begin.”
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Strong support from key stakeholders
The development of the league has been driven by an interim working group made up of representatives from the participating cricket boards and strategic partner, Rules Sport Tech. Their collective efforts have laid the foundations for what promises to be a landmark event in cricket. European.
Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland and Chairman of ETPL, expressed his excitement at Abhishek’s involvement. “His deep passion for sport and business acumen add tremendous 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, along with the exceptional experience 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 provide a tremendous platform for European cricket on the world 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 aligns with ICC’s plan to promote Cricket in less popular areas.
Saurav Banerjee, Director, ETPL, highlighted the immense potential of the European market. “Cricket, the second most watched sport globally, is gaining significant momentum in Europe. With 34 of the ICC’s 108 members in this region, we aim to make cricket a major sport here, building a legacy that players, fans and stakeholders can celebrate with pride. This would not have been possible without the support of Cricket Ireland who have worked tirelessly 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 participation has been truly inspiring.”
The ETPL formal launch event 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 who will ensure extensive coverage, the tournament will reach audiences around the world. , with Europe, India, Australia and England being some of the key markets. Abhishek’s deep passion for sports and enthusiasm for this initiative has been invaluable. “We look forward to continuing this exciting collaboration with him on this journey.”
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