The former Indian cricketers, Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin, have joined an Indian investment consortium that has agreed to acquire the Glasgow-based franchise in the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), marking their entry into franchise ownership within the expanding global T20 ecosystem.
The ETPL is a proposed six-team T20 tournament backed by the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, with the inaugural season expected to take place in August–September 2026. The competition is designed to establish a professional franchise league across emerging European cricket markets and strengthen the sport’s presence in the region.
According to reports, the consortium involving Dravid and Ashwin has reached an agreement to purchase the Glasgow franchise, one of the six city-based teams set to compete in the league. The tournament is expected to feature franchises representing Amsterdam, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Rotterdam, creating a multi-nation competition spanning key cricketing hubs in Europe.
Franchises in the ETPL are expected to operate under a salary cap of approximately £1.1 million per season, with organisers aiming to attract a combination of established international cricketers and emerging European talent as part of a sustainable league model.
The competition has already attracted several high-profile investors from the global cricket community. Steve Waugh is involved in the ownership of the Amsterdam franchise, while Glenn Maxwell is part of the group backing the Belfast team. Former New Zealand internationals Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills are associated with the Edinburgh franchise, while a South African consortium reportedly led by Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen, and Jonty Rhodes is expected to acquire the Rotterdam franchise.
Dravid’s involvement also carries a historical connection with Scottish cricket. The former India captain represented Scotland as an overseas professional in the 2003 National Cricket League, scoring 600 runs in 11 matches, including three centuries during his stint with the side.
Meanwhile, Ashwin’s participation adds an interesting dimension to the project. The veteran off-spinner retired from international cricket in 2024 and stepped away from the Indian Premier League in 2025, opening the possibility that he could potentially feature as a player in the league alongside his role as an investor.
The ETPL is being developed in partnership with Rules Sport Tech and is co-owned by actor and entrepreneur Abhishek Bachchan, with the league aiming to create a long-term professional cricket ecosystem across Europe.
The acquisition of the Glasgow franchise by the Dravid–Ashwin-backed consortium reflects the broader trend of former international players transitioning into franchise ownership, as investment and commercial interest in global T20 leagues continue to grow.
