“WE WANT TO BUILD A NICHE AND CARVE IT AROUND PLAYERS FROM IRELAND, SCOTLAND & THE NETHERLANDS”: R ASHWIN
Every franchise enters a new league with the ambition of lifting trophies. Some build their identity around star players, others around aggressive cricket or long-term success. But for R Ashwin, captain and mentor of the Dublin Guardians, the vision behind his team’s ethos extends beyond results on the field.
The former India international believes the European T20 Premier League presents an opportunity to create something that lasts long after the final ball of the inaugural season is bowled—a franchise rooted in the people of Dublin, committed to developing European cricketers and driven by a culture that reflects the values of its leadership.
Throughout the build-up to the ETPL, Ashwin has consistently spoken about the importance of local talent. Whether discussing the player draft or the future of European cricket, one message has remained constant: the league must become a platform where players from Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands can grow, compete and realise their potential.
Speaking directly to the Dublin Guardians’ supporters, as part of his message for his team’s fans, Ashwin once again placed those players at the heart of the franchise's identity.
"It's about the players in Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands. This is a tournament for them, and we want to build a niche and carve it around them."
For Ashwin, assembling a competitive squad is only the beginning.
He explained that the culture surrounding the team will carry the unmistakable influence of both himself and franchise owner and another Indian cricket legend, Rahul Dravid. Their shared cricketing philosophy has already guided the franchise through its first major decisions.
"You will see a stamp of us in the team in how we run the team, how we operate and the growth specific mindset that we want to create."
That emphasis on growth has become one of the defining themes of the ETPL.
From Steve Waugh's vision that a European nation can win a T20 World Cup to Glenn Maxwell's belief that experienced professionals have a responsibility to help local talent develop, many of the league's biggest names have spoken about leaving a legacy beyond individual success.
Ashwin's vision fits naturally within that broader objective.
He believes development should not be confined to the tournament itself.
Although the inaugural ETPL season will run for just over a month, Ashwin hopes the relationships built during that period will continue throughout the year, creating an environment where players can keep learning long after the competition has finished.
"We want to grow the game and enable cricketers to get better by the day. I know it's a 30-day window, but we will do what it takes, even through the year, to build a lovely team and create high performance around it."
Perhaps the most revealing part of Ashwin's message, however, had little to do with cricketing tactics or player development.
Instead, it was about belonging.
Describing the Guardians as a "family based" franchise, Ashwin spoke warmly about Dublin's culture and his hope that supporters will embrace the team from its very first season.
"Dublin has a wonderful culture. I hope people make this team their own, turn up for the games and really support us. We will try to give them some great moments."
The ETPL is not simply introducing new franchises; it is creating sporting identities that local communities can rally behind for years to come. Success will certainly be measured in victories and championships, but equally important will be the connections formed between clubs, players and supporters.
For Ashwin, that relationship is where the Dublin Guardians' journey truly begins. Build a team that represents its city, invest in the growth of European cricketers and create a culture people are proud to call their own. If those foundations are laid successfully, the victories on the field may simply become a natural consequence of everything built off of it.