Actor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Abhishek Bachchan is stepping firmly into the cricketing arena with the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), a tournament he co-owns and one that is sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC). In an exclusive interaction with the BBC, Bachchan shared his passion for cricket, the vision behind ETPL, and his long-standing love for sports and cinema.
Abhishek Bachchan on ETPL: “This league can launch local talent to the world stage”
Talking about the ETPL’s potential, Bachchan explained what drew him to the ambitious new league, “When the European T20 League came about, I saw a market primed for a professional T20 league. I truly feel we can make a difference here, and that’s why I chose this as my foray into proper cricket. The ETPL is being played in three very unique and iconic countries—Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. These are all World Cup-playing teams and have been giant killers at various points in time. With cricket now being introduced in the Olympics, this feels like the right moment,” he said.
Highlighting the opportunity it presents for emerging players, he added, “These three markets are screaming for their own professional T20 leagues. Most ICC nations already have them. This league can serve as a launch-pad for local talent who can rise through the ranks and break onto the world stage. I believe the talent exists; it’s the platform that’s missing. I hope, God willing, ETPL will provide that.”
Bachchan also emphasized the league’s commitment to high standards and inclusivity. “We are committed to world-class gameplay that’s on par with the best leagues. We aim to attract top global names. This is cricket as you have never seen it. We also have a mandate to support the women’s game. We hold rights for both, men’s and women’s leagues and hope to launch the women’s ETPL within the first three to five years. I’m biased, but I hope some of our Indian girls are part of it,” he stated.
Reflecting on the Indian Premier League (IPL), Bachchan praised its role in transforming cricket’s ecosystem. “In India, there’s hardly anyone among our billion-strong population who doesn’t love cricket. The sport is deeply embedded in our culture. The BCCI has done a great job in marketing it, creating superstars for children to idolize. To build and promote a sport, you need stars. Cricket has become a true social leveller. Whether you are from Karnataka, Assam, or Punjab, anyone has a real chance to wear the Indian jersey. On the field, everyone is equal—it’s your talent that speaks. The IPL changed lives. Before it, only the top 16 cricketers could dream of a professional career with Team India. Now, budding cricketers with talent and ambition have a legitimate platform. There’s no other system in the world that offers the kind of opportunities IPL does,” he mentioned.
He further addressed how the IPL helped decentralize cricketing power in India and shared, “Before the IPL, a large portion of the national team used to come from Mumbai, which had the strongest cricketing association. Yes, players came from other regions too, but the dominance was clear. Post-IPL, the landscape changed. Now, we have players from Ranchi, like MS Dhoni, and Delhi has produced outstanding talent. Cricketers are emerging from all parts of India. IPL and similar leagues have democratized cricket in this country. IPL is the biggest platform for young players—not only to showcase their skills but also to learn from legends.”
A known sports enthusiast, Bachchan revealed that sports has always been a part of his life.
“Sports films are my favorite genre because they celebrate the pride of the human spirit. They allow you to live the triumphs and setbacks that mirror real life. I’d love to act in or direct one someday. I’m a film, sports fan. My earliest memories are of watching sports with my father. That’s when I fell in love with it. He studied and deeply appreciated the value of sport. He introduced me to all kinds of games, and it became a core part of my life. That’s why I’ve always been inclined to explore and invest in sports,” he shared.
With ETPL gearing up for a 2026 launch across Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands, Abhishek Bachchan’s involvement adds both star power and strategic vision to the venture, and promises to be a significant new chapter in global T20 cricket.
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