Cricket fans, get ready for some exciting news from the European T20 Premier League (ETPL)! Three legendary South African cricketers—Faf du Plessis, Heinrich Klaasen, and the one-and-only Jonty Rhodes—have stepped into the ownership box as co-owners of the Rotterdam franchise, now officially named the Rotterdam Dockers.
This dynamic trio, all former Proteas stars, are part of an investment group that secured the second Dutch team for the inaugural tournament, set to launch later this summer. With five of the six ETPL franchises already sold, the buzz is building. Adding to the excitement, a group featuring cricket icons Rahul Dravid and Ravichandran Ashwin is in advanced talks to acquire the final team, based in Dublin.
Du Plessis, who will also captain the Dockers, shared his enthusiasm: "This is my first step into team ownership, and the timing couldn't be better with European cricket gaining real momentum. Having experienced franchise leagues across the world, I see immense potential in what the ETPL is building. I'm looking forward to contributing both on and off the field and helping shape a strong cricketing culture within our team."
Jonty Rhodes, known for his electric fielding and sharp cricket mind, highlighted the league's bigger picture. "The ETPL represents a compelling opportunity to develop Europe's cricketing potential on a global stage. What the region now needs is a strong commercial framework to unify and elevate this ecosystem. The ETPL offers exactly that, creating pathways to identify, nurture, and scale talent, and ultimately strengthening the game across Europe."
The ETPL is a collaborative effort with the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, featuring teams in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan is also a part-owner, joining forces with Rules Sport Tech, a private Indian company. Reports from BBC Sport earlier this year revealed that franchises were sold for £11.1 million ($15 million) over a 10-year period.
Mark your calendars: the tournament is scheduled to run from August 26 to September 20. With star power both on and off the field, the ETPL is shaping up to be a game-changer for European cricket. Whether you're a player, fan, or just love the sport, this is one league you won't want to miss!