Former South Africa cricketer and Rotterdam Dockers co-owner Jonty Rhodes believes the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) can follow the template set by the Indian Premier League (IPL) and SA20 to transform the cricketing landscape across Europe — not just at the elite level, but from the grassroots up.

Rhodes made the remarks in New Delhi on 2 July, following the conclusion of the 2026 ETPL Player Draft, during which Rotterdam selected emerging Ireland international Jai Moondra as their opening pick.

Beyond Trophies: Growing the Talent Pool

When asked whether the draft talent reflected Europe's readiness to produce players capable of competing in marquee leagues like the IPL, Big Bash League (BBL), and SA20, Rhodes was unequivocal. He said the league's true measure of success would be its ability to deepen Europe's talent pool rather than simply crown a champion.

'Absolutely. I think just to echo what Glenn Maxwell said earlier about what would be a successful tournament. Yes, winning the trophy is important, but it's about growing this talent pool,' Rhodes said.

Having been involved with the IPL since 2009 — its second season — and later observing the SA20's rapid rise at close quarters, the 55-year-old said franchise leagues have repeatedly demonstrated their capacity to reshape cricket well beyond the professional tier.

SA20's Lesson: Reigniting a Nation's Passion

Rhodes drew a pointed parallel with what SA20 achieved in South Africa, where cricket had lost ground to rugby following the national team's back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories. He said the T20 league had revived public enthusiasm for the sport in a way that traditional formats had struggled to sustain.

'Cricket has certainly taken a back stage. But the SA20 does that. It excites,' Rhodes said, adding a personal anecdote: his children were up at 7 a.m. in near-freezing temperatures, kicking a football outside because the FIFA World Cup was on. 'So, things like this that inspire the youth of a country,' he noted, drawing a direct line between major sporting events and grassroots participation.

Europe's Cricketing Depth: Bigger Than Ireland and Netherlands

Rhodes, who coached the Sweden national cricket team for two-and-a-half years, said Europe's cricketing ecosystem is far broader than its most prominent nations suggest. He noted that roughly 30 countries across the continent are members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), and that passion for the sport runs deep across many of them.

'It's certainly alive and kicking in Europe. And having worked in Sweden for two and a half years, it's bigger than just Ireland, the Netherlands, and Scotland,' he said, while acknowledging that the ETPL's initial focus remains on those established cricketing nations.

ETPL's Mandate: Leaving the Game Better

For Rhodes, the league's ambitions must be anchored in a long-term developmental philosophy. He stressed that the ETPL should not be seen as a platform only for fringe or international players, but as a vehicle for cultivating the next generation of European cricketers.

'It's not just for fringe players or international players. It's about developing and growing the pool at grassroots level. So, I think that for us will be a key factor. We want to leave the game in a better place than what we found,' he said.

With the ETPL set to establish itself as a serious franchise competition on the global cricket calendar, Rhodes's vision positions the league as both a commercial enterprise and a continental development programme — a dual mandate that, if executed, could make Europe an increasingly credible source of T20 talent in the years ahead.