Rahul Dravid, former Indian cricketer and head coach, has taken on a new role away from the boundaries of the game, becoming a co-owner of the Dublin Guardians in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL). Dravid said that as a former Indian captain, the franchise position takes him out of his usual comfort zone, but the prospect of contributing to the development of cricket in Europe was fascinating for him.
The European T20 Premier League starts on August 25, and many big names in cricket and entertainment have signed up for the competition. Dravid's take on franchise ownership is a far cry from his former role as a player and coach, and he could get involved in the building of teams, recruiting, administration, and finance in those areas.
Dravid said " why he chose the Dublin Guardians"
Because of the people in the league who are connected to the game and the potential for European cricket he sees. A number of well-known figures from the sport have joined teams in the league prior to its first season.
The former India coach said he was driven to try something new after working with players for the past 20 years, either as a cricketer or coach. To be able to be involved in the formation of a team and working on every aspect of running a franchise was a new experience, but that was also the appeal, Dravid added.
Dravid sees the league as an opportunity to contribute to the development of cricket in general. Europe has a lot more untapped potential, and more young boys and girls should be given a chance to participate in cricket.
Dravid has long been associated with the development of young cricketers, and his new role gives him another avenue to contribute to the game. He feels competitions like the European T20 Premier League can help introduce cricket to new audiences and create pathways for players in countries where the sport is still developing.
Dravid also spoke to the growing dominance of T20 cricket and its effect on the traditional formats of the game. Test cricket, he is very much in love with and still believes is the best one, but T20 cricket should play a bigger role in the world.
He thinks T20 is best suited to places where cricket is still in its infancy. This shorter format is also likely to bring in new fans and new players to the game without requiring so much time to get to know what it is, he said.
Dravid says that once a stronger cricketing ecosystem has been created through T20 cricket, there can be opportunities to introduce and develop longer formats. He views the shortest format as an effective starting point for countries and regions taking their first steps in cricket.
Thus, Dravid will be able to explore a completely different side of the game and contribute to the growth of cricket in Europe. If cricket is going to grow beyond its traditional territories, he is eager to help it do that.
Dravid’s transition from international cricketer and coach to franchise co-owner shows how he is evolving in the game. The job may not be the same for him as he has been through so many of his playing and coaching roles, but he seems to be ready for it.
Now that the European T20 Premier League starts on August 25, the Dublin Guardians will be in charge on the field, and attention will turn to the new competition. Dravid’s project is not only a new professional challenge for him but also one to help make cricket more accessible and popular across Europe.
