Abhishek Bachchan Hopes To See MS Dhoni In European T20 League

Six years after retiring from international cricket, former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni continues to enjoy immense popularity, with actor and ETPL co-founder Abhishek Bachchan saying he would love to see him feature in the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL) .

Speaking to PTI from Dublin, Bachchan picked Dhoni instantly when asked which Indian cricketer he would like in the league. “ Mahendra Singh Dhoni ,” he said. “Do you need a reason why you want to see him in cricket?”

Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, remains associated with Chennai Super Kings but has been sidelined this season due to a calf injury . Under existing BCCI regulations , active Indian cricketers or those still contracted in domestic and IPL competitions are not permitted to participate in overseas franchise leagues. Only players retired from all forms of Indian cricket and the IPL are eligible.

Bachchan acknowledged that the absence of current Indian stars would be felt in ETPL but remained confident about the league’s global appeal. “We would have loved to have the current Indian cricketers, but we will miss them. However, the rest of the world’s top players are coming, so we will be okay,” he said.

The European T20 Premier League is scheduled from August 26 to September 20 and aims to expand cricket’s presence across Europe through a franchise-based structure. The league will feature international stars alongside emerging local talent, with each team required to include European players to build a developmental pathway.

The franchise setup is being built through a team bidding process , with ownership groups coming in from different parts of the world. A player auction system is expected to be conducted ahead of the inaugural season , allowing franchises to assemble squads combining global stars and local European players.

Former India coach Rahul Dravid is among the co-owners of the Dublin franchise, while other cricketing names such as Steve Waugh, Jonty Rhodes and Glenn Maxwell are also involved in ownership or advisory roles.

Bachchan said the vision behind ETPL is to create a high-quality entertainment product . “If your cricket is of top quality, people will come and watch,” he said, adding that the T20 format suits modern audiences due to time constraints, even though Test cricket remains the purest form.

On concerns about the increasing number of global T20 leagues, Bachchan dismissed oversaturation fears, stressing that sustainability depends on quality cricket and fan experience .

He also highlighted ETPL’s long-term goal of nurturing local European talent , creating opportunities for players to compete alongside established international stars while building cricket’s popularity in non-traditional markets.