Ajinkya Rahane has signed as the marquee player for Amsterdam Flames in the inaugural ETPL, just eight days after retiring from all forms of cricket. Steve Waugh, the franchise’s co-founder, called Rahane within five minutes of his retirement announcement on July 30.
“Cricket has given me so much, and I have 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. What impressed me about Amsterdam Flames is the ambition to build something meaningful that creates a lasting impact both on and off the field.”
Ajinkya Rahane, official statement, August 7, 2026
🚨 Ajinkya Rahane to play ETPL
The former India batter has joined Amsterdam Flames as their marquee player for the inaugural edition of the tournament beginning later this month#ETPL pic.twitter.com/sv6QSYYlY1
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) August 7, 2026
“Within, I think, just five minutes, Steve Waugh called me. Knowing Steve for many years now, I have met him several times; I grew up watching him, his game, and his leadership style, and I admired him every single time. So when he called me about this opportunity, I was obviously in a different mindset because I had just announced my retirement.”
Ajinkya Rahane, ANI interview, August 7, 2026
Rahane took a day to consider the offer before confirming.
🚨 REPORTS 🚨
Ajinkya Rahane is set to feature in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) season as a player. 🏏🌎
(Source: RevSportz)#ETPL #Cricket #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/IbRV6Qp00a
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) August 7, 2026
He joins an Amsterdam Flames squad built around serious T20 firepower. Mitchell Marsh captains the side. Steve Smith and Tim David complete a batting core that ranks among the strongest in any franchise league outside the IPL. Netherlands captain Scott Edwards, Ireland’s Curtis Campher, and Max O’Dowd round out the group. Ryan Cook coaches the squad.
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Amsterdam does not need Rahane to score runs. Marsh, Smith, and Tim David handle that. What a side playing across the Netherlands, Ireland, and Scotland needs is someone who reads unfamiliar conditions faster than anyone in the squad. Rahane built his entire career on exactly that, scoring Test centuries in England, Australia, and New Zealand. No Indian batter of his generation adjusted quicker to surfaces he had never seen before. That ability to assess a pitch and recalibrate within the first few overs is what separates a useful signing from a transformative one.
What Is the ETPL and Who Else Is Playing
The European T20 Premier League is Europe’s first ICC-sanctioned T20 league. Six franchises will compete in 33 matches from August 26 to September 20, 2026, across the Netherlands, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. Abhishek Bachchan co-founded the league alongside Rules Sport Tech.
Rahane is not the only major cricket figure in the ETPL. Rahul Dravid co-owns the Dublin Guardians. R. Ashwin captains that franchise. Chris Gayle co-owns the Glasgow team. Glenn Maxwell holds a stake in the Belfast Wolves. Heinrich Klaasen, Jonty Rhodes, and Faf du Plessis own the Rotterdam Dockers.
Welcoming a true leader of the game to the ETPL family!
Calm under pressure, rich in experience, and always leading by example — Former India captain, Ajinkya Rahane, is ready to write a new chapter, with the Amsterdam Flames.
Welcome aboard, Ajinkya! ✨#ETPL pic.twitter.com/pCvpkVor7u
— European T20 Premier League (ETPL) (@etplofficial) August 7, 2026
Rahane is currently in England as part of BBC Sport’s commentary team for The Hundred 2026. The ETPL begins less than three weeks from now.
Sources:
ANI, August 7, 2026
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