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ETPL 2026: R Ashwin reacts for the first time since joining Rahul Dravid-owned European T20 Premier League side Dublin Guardians originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- R Ashwin joins Dublin Guardians as captain-mentor for inaugural ETPL edition.
- The franchise is owned by Rahul Dravid.
- Star-studded league features Faf du Plessis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and more.
'More than a player': R Ashwin ready for captain-mentor role at Rahul Dravid's ETPL franchise
Former India off-spinner R Ashwin is set to feature in the inaugural European T20 Premier League, taking up a dual role as captain and mentor at Dublin Guardians.
This is a franchise owned by none other than his former India captain and T20 World Cup-winning coach, Rahul Dravid. The 39-year-old comes in as one of the tournament's direct signings.
Ashwin explained that the arrangement felt like a natural extension of what he has been doing for the past couple of years in club cricket back home, where he has already been combining playing duties with a coaching-style leadership role.
"And for whatever it is, whatever it is worth, and even if it's a state-run league, I've been a coach cum captain for the last couple of years that I've played my cricket there.
"So it was just a straight connection and Rahul had seen me do the job and he understands what I do back home for club cricket. So I think he was pretty confident that I can do it. It's just a crossover into what I'd like to do next."
MORE: R Ashwin joins Rahul Dravid in ETPL: Former India spinner joins Dublin Guardians ahead of inaugural European T20 Premier League season
The move also serves as a comeback vehicle of sorts, with Ashwin still working his way back from knee surgery and hoping to be fully fit and firing by the time the team assembles at Malahide.
"It's also sort of a comeback for me after my knee surgery," he said. "So it's taking a, taking a touch longer, but I, I'm assuming that by the time I'm, I'm getting there to, uh, Malahide I'd be good enough to go and all guns blazing."
ETPL is packed with marquee names from world cricket
Faf du Plessis, who co-owns the Rotterdam franchise alongside Heinrich Klaasen and Jonty Rhodes, will captain that side, with Donovan Ferreira, Anrich Nortje and Mitchell Owen among their ranks.
Amsterdam have assembled quite a line-up too, bringing in Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Michael Bracewell and Dutch stalwarts Scott Edwards and Bas de Leede.
Glasgow have bolstered their pace options with Lungi Ngidi and Duan Jansen, while also signing Keshav Maharaj and explosive Kiwi opener Finn Allen.
Mitchell Santner will lead Edinburgh alongside Trent Boult, and Glenn Maxwell takes the captaincy at Belfast, with Tim David also among the high-profile direct signings confirmed so far.
MORE: Cricket Ireland chairman welcomes Indian owners' investment in inaugural ETPL
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Who are the owners of ETPL?
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan is among the co-owners of the competition, while Steve Waugh holds ownership stakes in Amsterdam.
Matthew Hayden serves as Glasgow's co-owner and head coach, with James Foster leading Edinburgh's coaching setup.
John Abraham and Bollywood star connections add further glamour to the Rotterdam ownership group.
The remaining squad positions across all franchises will be decided through a player draft on July 2, with the league aiming to give cricketers from Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands the chance to learn alongside some of the sport's biggest names.
MORE: 'T20 is here to stay': Ashwin casts doubt on ODI's future
| Entity | Role |
|---|---|
| Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association | Joint backers and organizers of the league |
| Abhishek Bachchan (via Rules X) | League Co-owner and Co-founder |
ETPL Franchise Owners
| Franchise | Owner(s) |
|---|---|
| Amsterdam Flames | Steve Waugh, Jamie Dwyer, and Tim Thomas |
| Belfast Wolves / Irish Wolves | Glenn Maxwell and Rohan Lund |
| Dublin Guardians | Rahul Dravid |
| Edinburgh Castle Rockers | Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills |
| Glasgow Cosmic | Tansha Batra, Chris Gayle, Matthew Hayden, and the Mugafi Group |
| Rotterdam Dockers | Jonty Rhodes, Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen, and John Abraham |
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