Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been retired from international cricket for six years, yet demand to watch Dhoni play remains intense. Even in the ongoing IPL 2026, fans are turning up in good numbers to watch their beloved "Thala" MS Dhoni in action but the senior wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand is yet to play a single match this season.
Actor and European T20 Premier League co-founder Abhishek Bachchan said Dhoni is the Indian player Bachchan most wants in the new league, even though rules currently block active Indian professionals from such events.
Bachchan did not hesitate when asked which Indian cricketer Bachchan would choose for the European T20 Premier League and why. "Mahendra Singh Dhoni," Bachchan replied instantly when asked which Indian cricketer he would most
like to see in the ETPL and why. "Do you need a reason why you want to see Mahendra Singh Dhoni in cricket?" he told PTI from Dublin.
European T20 Premier League format, ETPL schedule and ownership
The European T20 Premier League is planned as a franchise T20 competition designed to widen cricket's presence across Europe. The tournament is scheduled between August 26 and September 20. Former India batter and head coach Rahul Dravid has taken a co-owner role with the Dublin Guardians, while Steve Waugh, Jonty Rhodes and Glenn Maxwell are also involved as franchise owners.
Bachchan's interest in the European T20 Premier League comes after earlier investments in other sports properties. Bachchan already co-owns Indian Super League football side Chennaiyin FC and Pro Kabaddi League team Jaipur Panthers. Bachchan said a long-standing love for cricket and the chance to help build a T20 structure in Europe encouraged this new step.
European T20 Premier League rules, ETPL and Indian players
Any appearance for Dhoni in the European T20 Premier League would depend on existing Board of Control for Cricket in India regulations. Indian male cricketers can feature in overseas T20 leagues only after stepping away from all recognised cricket in India, including the Indian Premier League. These rules aim to protect the IPL's position and keep India's domestic system strong.
Dhoni, who ended his international career in 2020, is still part of the Chennai Super Kings group in the IPL. A calf injury suffered shortly before the current tournament has ruled Dhoni out of this season's matches so far. Because Dhoni has not formally retired from the IPL, Dhoni remains ineligible for foreign leagues such as the European T20 Premier League.
While accepting that contracted Indian stars cannot join the European T20 Premier League, Bachchan argued that the competition can still attract audiences. "I think if your cricket is of top quality, people will come and watch. We would have loved to have the (current) Indian cricketers as part of the ETPL. But as we all know, Indian cricketers under contract with the BCCI are not permitted to play outside the IPL. We will miss them. It would have been wonderful to have them. I think outside of the Indian talent pool, we have the rest of the world's greatest cricketers who are coming and playing in the ETPL. So, I think we will be okay," he said.
European T20 Premier League vision, ETPL entertainment and local talent
Bachchan said experience from earlier ventures in football, kabaddi and street cricket helped shape the plan for the European T20 Premier League. "I'm a big cricket fan. That was the inspiration and also to get the opportunity to start a T20 league in Europe is a matter of huge pride and honour for me. I'm very used to having started leagues of a sport which isn't the dominant sport in that market. Be it football, kabaddi or street cricket. It excites me. It gives you something to try and achieve," he said.
Explaining how the European T20 Premier League intends to build talent depth, Bachchan said every franchise must blend local names with overseas stars. "The idea is to create a funnel for local talent to come through and play. Each team has to have local talent and European players as well, and they get to play alongside some of the greats of the game," he said.
Key details of the European T20 Premier League structure and timeline are shown below.
| Aspect | European T20 Premier League detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | August 26 to September 20 |
| Format | Franchise-based T20 tournament in Europe |
| Notable franchise owners | Rahul Dravid, Abhishek Bachchan, Steve Waugh, Jonty Rhodes, Glenn Maxwell |
| Indian contracted players | Not allowed to participate under BCCI rules |
Addressing worries about the rising number of T20 leagues, including the European T20 Premier League, Bachchan rejected the idea of saturation. "No, I don't think so. At the end of the day, you have to be a quality product. Your tournament has to be worthy of your fans and give them the kind of entertainment they want. If your cricket quality is good, they'll watch it. "
Bachchan added that T20 tournaments such as the European T20 Premier League match the viewing habits of younger followers. "Time has become a great scarcity. But obviously, being a cricket fan, not much goes above Test cricket. That's the purest form of the game. But you have to keep in mind that the current generation doesn't really like to spend that kind of time. So, T20 is very exciting. I think it's a brilliant format," he said.
Looking at models like the Indian Premier League and South Africa's SA20, Bachchan said the lesson for the European T20 Premier League is straightforward. "If you see both of them, the fact that they play great, entertaining and exciting cricket is the only thing you should learn from them. If you have that, the rest will follow. The fact that they provide a great product to their fans is why they are so sustainable," he said. Dhoni's future choices and BCCI policy will determine whether fans ever see Dhoni in this European event.
