MS Dhoni might not have played a single IPL game this season, but the former India captain’s popularity remains unmatched across the cricketing world. ETPL co-founder and actor Abhishek Bachchan has revealed that he would like to see the former Indian captain play in the upcoming European T20 Premier League.
Speaking to PTI from Dublin, Bachchan had no hesitation in naming Dhoni when asked which Indian cricketer he would most like to see in the ETPL.
“Mahendra Singh Dhoni,” Bachchan responded immediately when asked about his dream Indian signing for the ETPL.
Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni continues to be one of the biggest attractions in the sport and remains part of the Chennai Super Kings team. though he missed the ongoing IPL season due to a calf injury retained before the tournament.
“Do you need a reason to see Mahendra Singh Dhoni in cricket?” he added.
Bachchan then acknowledged the challenges of bringing current Indian players into overseas franchise leagues due to Board Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regulations. ETPL on board big names as owners (Screen grab on X)
“We would love for the (current) Indian cricketers to be a part of the ETPL. But as we all know, Indian cricketers are not allowed to play outside the IPL under the BCCI contract. We will miss them. It would be wonderful to have them,” he said. “Apart from the Indian talent pool, we have the rest of the world’s best cricketers coming and playing in the ETPL. So I think we will be fine.”
As per the current BCCI rules, Indian cricketers can participate in overseas T20 league competitions only after they retire from all forms of Indian cricket, including the IPL. The aim of this policy is to protect the exclusivity of the IPL and maintain the strength of the Indian domestic cricket structure.
ETPL FOR LEADING LOCAL TALENT
Explaining the league’s long-term vision, Bachchan said ETPL aims to create opportunities for budding European cricketers by ensuring local representation in every team.
“The idea is to create a pathway for local talent to come through and play. Every team has to have local talent as well as European players and they will be able to play alongside some of the greats of the game,” he said.
To be held from August 26 to September 20, the European T20 Premier League is a newly launched franchise-based tournament that aims to expand cricket’s footprint across Europe.
The league has already attracted some big names. Former Indian captain and head coach Rahul Dravid joined as co-owner of the Dublin Guardians franchise, while Steve Waugh, Jonty Rhodes and Glenn Maxwell are also among the franchise owners.
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Published on:
12 May 2026 15:45 IST
