“T20 Cricket Is Here to Stay”: Ravichandran Ashwin Says ETPL Can Help Cricket Tap Into Europe’s Sporting Legacy

New Delhi, July 3: The first Player Draft of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) saw 36 players from Ireland, the Netherlands, and Scotland picked as six franchises completed squads for the league’s opening season. Ravichandran Ashwin, captain and mentor of Dublin Guardians, spoke after the draft on his role and the league’s purpose.

Ashwin said the dual role fits his career stage and builds on his recent work as a coach-cum-captain. He said Rahul Dravid understood his approach from club cricket and was confident he could handle the job. He also called it a return after knee surgery and said he hopes to be ready at Malahide.

“I’m at that stage of my career where I’d like to contribute more than just as a player,” Ashwin said. “It’s also a bit of a comeback for me after my knee surgery, so it’s taking a little longer than expected, but I’m hoping that by the time I get to Malahide, I’ll be ready to go all guns blazing,” he said.

ETPL’s role for European players

Speaking on the league’s wider value, Ashwin said the ETPL can help cricket become a truly global sport, especially with the Olympics set to happen in a couple of years. He said the Dublin franchise has a duty to give Irish cricket and players from Scotland, the Netherlands, and Ireland the right exposure and chances to improve.

Why Ashwin backs T20 cricket?

Ashwin said shorter formats make cricket more viable if the sport wants to grow and stay relevant as an Olympic sport. He pointed to the recent India versus Ireland T20I series as an example of how conditions can change the game. He added that T20 cricket is here to stay and said he is less sure about ODI cricket.

He also said freedom on the field matters and that Dravid has made it clear he will not interfere much in cricketing calls. Ashwin said he will take responsibility for team selection and on-field decisions, while both he and Dravid will leave their mark on the tournament.