A report has it that the two famous Indian cricketers are part of an Indian group which has made an agreement to buy the Glasgow franchise in the European T20 Premier League, or ETPL. The competition, which will have six teams, is planned for this summer, and city franchises all over Europe have been going on sale.
What the deal is, and who the investors are
The Indian group’s purchase of the Glasgow team is one of a number of sales which have changed the ETPL franchise picture. Franchises in Amsterdam, Belfast, and Edinburgh were sold earlier to investors from Australia and New Zealand. It is said that a South African group, with past Proteas players as the public face, is buying the Rotterdam franchise.
People in the business expect official statements at an event soon, though the people organising it have not yet given out all the details. Dublin is the only ETPL city which is still available, and several parties are interested in taking that franchise.
Whether Ashwin might play, and his health
It is not yet known if Ravichandran Ashwin will play for the Glasgow team. The 39-year-old stopped playing international cricket in December 2024, and left the Indian Premier League last season, but he has said he would like to play in global franchise cricket.
Ashwin had intended to play in Australia’s Big Bash League but got a knee injury whilst training in December and had an operation afterwards. How well he gets better and his recovery period will decide if he plays, but just being connected with the team will add a great deal of respect and fan attention to the ETPL.
What Ashwin and Dravid have done in cricket, and why they are appealing
Ashwin’s record is clear: over 100 Tests, more than 100 ODIs, and a good T20 international career, with a total number of wickets which puts him among India’s most successful bowlers. His understanding of tactics and his off-spin bowling would be a big attraction for a European T20 audience.
Rahul Dravid brings a different sort of benefit. The former captain and great batsman has scored more than 24,000 runs in international cricket in all forms of the game and was the head coach of India’s men’s team until the middle of 2024. His knowledge of cricket and his reputation for bringing on players could shape the franchise’s strategy and how it finds and trains new talent.
How Dravid is linked to Scotland, and how well he fits in
Dravid being connected with the Glasgow franchise has a link to the past. At the start of his career, he played in Scottish conditions as an overseas professional in limited-overs county games, which may have made him take an interest in the area. That experience can help him make connections with local fans and youth programs.
As an investor, Dravid could put his efforts into coaching systems, links with academies, and looking after and developing talent over the long term. His name and respect are likely to help with getting business, talking to people who might sponsor the team, and getting involved with the community in Scotland.
What this means for European T20 and global franchise cricket
The involvement of famous investors shows the increasing business success of franchise cricket in Europe. Well-known names and former international players as owners increase respect, attract sponsors, and make the media take notice. This trend could speed up the number of young people taking part, and investment in the buildings and equipment needed for the game, in countries which are not yet major cricketing nations.
If Ashwin does play, it would be a great marketing success and could make the team better on the field. Even if he doesn’t, the mix of investors – experienced players, international backers, and local people with an interest – puts the ETPL in a good position to get a bigger audience and make stronger links with well-established franchise circuits.
For the people organising it, the main thing now is to finish the sale of the Dublin franchise, confirm the announcements of who owns the teams, and make sure that players are available and that the games will be broadcast. The next few weeks could make things clear about how the teams will be put together, who will be the coaches, and where the matches will be played before the start of the season in the summer.
This round of investment is another step in the spread of T20 franchise cricket around the world, with Europe becoming a new place for former stars to stay important both on and off the field. Fans and business partners will watch closely as the ETPL tries to turn this success into a tournament which is sustainable and interesting.
