European T20 Premier League Launches; Bachchan Co-Owner Eyes Kohli Long-Term

Europe is set to enter a new chapter in global cricket with the launch of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), the continent’s first-ever franchise-based T20 competition. Scheduled to begin on August 26, the six-team tournament aims to bring top-tier cricket to a region traditionally considered outside the sport’s mainstream. With high-profile investors and international stars involved, the league is positioning itself as a serious addition to the global T20 calendar.

Bollywood actor and sports entrepreneur Abhishek Bachchan has joined the ETPL as a co-owner, lending celebrity appeal to a project already backed by prominent cricket figures. Franchise owners include former Australian Captain Steve Waugh, star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, and ex-New Zealand internationals Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills. Speaking at the league’s official launch in Sydney, Bachchan said Europe represents “untapped potential” and stressed the league’s goal of identifying and promoting local European talent on a global stage.

The inaugural season will be hosted across venues in Dublin and the Netherlands, with franchises confirmed in Amsterdam, Edinburgh and Belfast. The remaining teams are expected to be announced soon. Administratively, the league is being run as a joint venture between Rules Global and Cricket Ireland, with support from Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association, giving it a strong governance framework from the outset.

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While Indian players are currently unavailable due to Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regulations, Bachchan openly expressed long-term aspirations of attracting elite names. He said that having a player like Virat Kohli in the ETPL would be “incredible”, adding that although it is not possible at present, future opportunities should not be ruled out.

On the field, the league has already secured marquee commitments, with players such as Steve Smith, Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell confirmed for the first season. Waugh praised Smith’s recent T20 form, calling it among the best of his career. The league’s format mandates the inclusion of seven continental European players per squad, a move designed to accelerate local development through exposure to international stars.

With a blend of star power, institutional backing and a clear development focus, the ETPL is being billed as a bold step toward expanding cricket’s footprint in Europe. From its local talent pathways to its global ambitions, the league aims to reshape how the sport is played and followed across the continent.

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