Ashwin leads Dublin Guardians as Dravid steps back from ETPL decisions
Synopsis
Rahul Dravid owns the franchise but has handed every cricketing call to Ravichandran Ashwin — a striking role reversal from their India playing days. Ashwin's dual captain-mentor brief at Dublin Guardians in the inaugural ETPL also doubles as his competitive comeback after knee surgery, with the tournament set to be played at Malahide.
Key Takeaways
Ravichandran Ashwin has been appointed captain and mentor of Dublin Guardians in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026 .
Rahul Dravid , co-owner of the franchise, has deliberately stepped back from all cricketing decisions, leaving full control with Ashwin.
Ashwin described the arrangement as giving him the 'freedom' needed to build and run the squad.
The 39-year-old spinner said the role reflects a deliberate career shift towards leadership and coaching.
The ETPL will also mark Ashwin's competitive return after knee surgery , with matches set to be held at Malahide .
Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that Rahul Dravid, co-owner of Dublin Guardians, has handed him full control over all cricketing decisions for the franchise in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026, stepping back deliberately from on-field matters. Ashwin made the disclosure on Thursday, 2 July 2026, following the conclusion of the ETPL 2026 Player Draft.
Dravid's Deliberate Step Back
Ashwin, appointed as both captain and mentor of Dublin Guardians ahead of the league's first season, said Dravid had been unambiguous about his intentions from the very beginning. The former India head coach has chosen to leave squad construction and strategic direction entirely to Ashwin.
'I think freedom is very important for people to be able to run a cricket team on the field. And I don't think we have had too many issues at all so far. Rahul has been very clear that he doesn't want to be involved as much in cricketing decisions. Which is why I am at the centre of it. I will be taking responsibility for it, and I also have to construct the teams,' Ashwin said at the post-draft media interaction.
New Territory for All Involved
The 39-year-old off-spinner acknowledged that the ETPL represents uncharted ground for everyone — players, coaches, and franchise owners alike. He said both he and Dravid share a genuine ambition to help the league establish itself on a strong foundation.
'And like everybody else on this call and those who were available on this draft, it is new territory for all of us. We are looking forward to it and, hopefully, in the long run, making a difference. And Rahul and I both will have our sincere stamp on whatever we do in this tournament,' he added.
A Natural Career Transition
Ashwin explained that accepting the dual captain-mentor role aligns with where he sees his career heading — increasingly towards leadership and coaching rather than purely playing. He noted that Dravid had already witnessed him operate in this capacity in domestic club cricket back home.
'I think I'm at that stage of my career where I'd like to contribute more than just being a player. Even if it's a straight-run league, I've been a coach-cum-captain for the last couple of years that I've played my cricket there,' he said. He added: 'It was just a straight connection. And Rahul Dravid had seen me do the job. He understands what I do back home for club cricket. So, I think he was pretty confident that I could do it. It's just a crossover into what I'd like to do next.'
Comeback After Knee Surgery
Ashwin also confirmed that the ETPL will serve as his competitive return following knee surgery, expressing confidence that he will be match-ready in time for the tournament at Malahide. 'It's also sort of a comeback for me after my knee surgery. So, it's taking a touch longer. But I'm assuming that by the time I'm getting there to Malahide, I'd be good enough to go and all guns blazing,' he stated.
This comes amid growing global interest in franchise T20 leagues outside the traditional cricket belt, with the ETPL positioning itself as a significant new competition on the calendar. Ashwin's dual role — and the trust placed in him by a figure of Dravid's stature — will be closely watched as the league prepares for its inaugural edition.
Point of View
Where owners routinely meddle in selection and strategy. Dravid's hands-off approach is either a masterclass in delegation or a reflection of how nascent the ETPL still is — a league where the stakes are low enough to experiment. What is more significant is Ashwin's explicit framing of this as a career pivot: a former India Test regular positioning himself as a coach-captain rather than a frontline bowler. If the ETPL gains traction, Ashwin's dual role here could become a template for how senior Indian cricketers transition out of playing careers — and that is a conversation Indian cricket's administration has long deferred.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ravichandran Ashwin's role at Dublin Guardians in ETPL 2026?
Ravichandran Ashwin has been appointed as both captain and mentor of Dublin Guardians in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) 2026. He holds full responsibility for squad construction and on-field strategy, with co-owner Rahul Dravid having stepped back from cricketing decisions.
Why has Rahul Dravid stepped back from cricketing decisions at Dublin Guardians?
Dravid has reportedly chosen to stay away from on-field matters to give Ashwin the freedom needed to run the team effectively. Ashwin said Dravid made his intentions clear from the outset, placing complete trust in him to oversee the team's direction.
What is the European T20 Premier League (ETPL)?
The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is an inaugural franchise-based T20 cricket competition. Dublin Guardians, co-owned by Rahul Dravid, is one of its franchises, with matches reportedly set to be played at Malahide.
Is Ravichandran Ashwin returning from injury for the ETPL?
Yes. Ashwin confirmed that the ETPL will mark his competitive comeback following knee surgery. He said recovery has taken slightly longer than expected but expressed confidence he will be 'all guns blazing' by the time the tournament begins at Malahide.
How does Ashwin view his captain-mentor dual role?
Ashwin described it as a natural progression in his career, saying he is at a stage where he wants to contribute beyond just playing. He noted that Dravid had already seen him operate as a coach-cum-captain in domestic club cricket and was confident in his ability to handle the role.
