Former Indian cricketers Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin are poised to take on new roles as franchise owners in the upcoming European T20 Premier League. An India-based consortium has reportedly made arrangements to acquire a franchise based in Glasgow, as the tournament is set to kick off in August. In addition, this consortium is also expected to take control of another franchise located in the Netherlands. Furthermore, a separate group, including South African investors like Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen, and Jonty Rhodes, has plans to secure a franchise within the league. Official announcements regarding the new franchises are anticipated later this month.

Rahul Dravid’s Connection to Scottish Cricket

Dravid’s involvement with a Scottish franchise has historical roots, as he had played for Scotland during the English one-day tournament in 2003. Over a span of three months, he participated in 11 one-day matches in the second division of the National Cricket League. Dravid displayed remarkable form, scoring a total of 600 runs at an average of 66.66, which included three centuries and two fifties, all achieved at a strike rate of 92.73. Notable among his performances was a fluent 114-run innings against Northampton. During this period, he shared the field with a young Kyle Coetzer, who was then just 19 and later went on to captain the Scotland national team. Despite Scotland securing only one win that season, Dravid’s batting contributions were exceptional.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s Potential Involvement as a Player

Ashwin’s role as a franchise owner raises inquiries about the possibility of him participating as a player in the tournament. The 39-year-old cricketer announced his retirement from international cricket in December 2024 and stepped back from the Indian Premier League the previous year. He has shown interest in playing in global franchise leagues. His new ownership role could pave the way for him to also take on playing responsibilities, which would significantly enhance the tournament’s profile. Previously, Ashwin had a planned stint with Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League, which would have marked him as the first India-capped player to join the competition. Unfortunately, he had to withdraw due to a knee injury sustained during training in Chennai last December, followed by surgery and subsequent rehabilitation. Whether Ashwin will be fit to participate in the European T20 Premier League as a player is currently uncertain, but his franchise involvement adds substantial intrigue as the tournament approaches.

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