Our Bureau
Mumbai
Veteran Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has signed with the Amsterdam Flames for the inaugural season of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), marking a new chapter in his cricketing journey just days after announcing his retirement from international cricket. The move sees the 38-year-old take his vast experience to Europe’s first major franchise-based T20 competition, which begins on August 26 and runs until September 20.
Rahane’s signing is expected to strengthen the Amsterdam Flames’ batting unit as the franchise prepares for the six-team tournament featuring city-based sides from the Netherlands, Ireland and Scotland. The ETPL aims to provide a global platform for emerging European cricketers while attracting established international stars to accelerate the growth of the game across the continent.
Widely regarded as one of India’s most dependable batters, Rahane represented the country in 85 Tests, 90 One-Day Internationals and 20 T20 Internationals during a career spanning over a decade. Known for his calm leadership and technical excellence, he was instrumental in several memorable overseas victories, including India’s historic Test series triumph in Australia in 2020-21.
The ETPL will feature 32 matches played across venues in the Netherlands and Ireland. The opening fixture will see Amsterdam Flames take on Rotterdam Dockers, with the tournament expected to blend international experience with local talent in an effort to expand cricket’s footprint in Europe.
Rahane’s decision to join the Amsterdam-based franchise underlines the growing appeal of franchise cricket beyond traditional markets. Having stepped away from international cricket, the experienced batter is set to remain active in the global T20 circuit while contributing to the development of the sport in emerging cricketing nations. His presence is expected to add both credibility and competitive edge to the ETPL’s inaugural edition.