Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has joined Amsterdam Flames as their marquee player for the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL), marking a significant step in the competition’s ambition to grow cricket across Europe.
The signing was announced on Friday, highlighting Rahane as a central figure in shaping both its on-field identity and long-term vision. He brings experience from over 190 international appearances across formats. His inclusion in the league reflects a belief in Europe’s role in bringing together experienced players from across the globe in order to help accelerate the growth of cricket.
Steve Waugh, co-founder and chief cricket officer of Amsterdam Flames, said via a media release: “Ajinkya Rahane represents everything you want in a professional cricketer — skill, resilience, humility and leadership. Throughout his career he has earned enormous respect across the cricket world, not only for his performances but for the way he has conducted himself on and off the field.”
He added: “I’ve seen first-hand the composure and leadership he brings under pressure, and those qualities help shape winning cultures. His experience, leadership and character will be invaluable as we build Amsterdam Flames into one of Europe’s premier cricket clubs.”
Rahane said: “Cricket has given me so much, and I’ve always believed that players have a responsibility to leave the game stronger than they found it. Europe is entering an exciting phase and has the potential to become one of cricket’s most promising frontiers.”
He additionally expressed his excitement and spoke about building a successful franchise “while helping inspire the next generation and strengthen cricket’s future across Europe”.
ETPL co-owner Abhishek Bachchan added: “Players of Ajinkya’s calibre not only raise the standard of the competition but also inspire and mentor the next generation of European cricketers.”
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