Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Ajinkya Rahane joins Amsterdam Flames as ETPL marquee player
Ajinkya Rahane is a famous cricketer from India who recently stopped playing for his country's national team.
Now he is joining a brand-new cricket league in Europe called the European T20 Premier League.
He will play for a team named the Amsterdam Flames as their marquee player.
It is the first big T20 cricket league in Europe that is approved by the ICC, cricket's world governing body.
The first season will happen from August 26 to September 20.
The six teams come from cities like Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast and Rotterdam.
The matches will be played in Dublin, Ireland, and The Hague, Netherlands.
Rahane wants to share everything he learned in his long career with European players.
He believes playing alongside international stars will help local players learn and grow.
Famous cricket names like Steve Waugh, Rahul Dravid and Matthew Hayden are also part of the league, and Rahane is excited about this new chapter.
Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has joined Amsterdam Flames as the marquee player for the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL).
The ETPL, Europe's first ICC-sanctioned T20 league, runs from August 26 to September 20 with six city-based franchises playing 33 matches.
Rahane, 38, retired from international cricket on July 30; Steve Waugh called him minutes after the announcement and he signed on a Friday.
He aims to share his 15 years of international experience and give European players exposure alongside stars like Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh.
Amsterdam Flames co-founder Steve Waugh praised Rahane's skill, resilience, humility and leadership, while CEO Tim Thomas called his arrival a defining moment.
- Who
- Ajinkya Rahane, the 38-year-old former India captain and Test vice-captain, who joined Amsterdam Flames as marquee player.
- What
- Rahane was signed as marquee player for the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL), Europe's first ICC-sanctioned T20 league.
- When
- Rahane announced his international retirement on July 30 and joined the league on a Friday; the ETPL runs from August 26 to September 20.
- Where
- The six franchises are based in Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast and Rotterdam; matches will be played in Dublin, Ireland, and The Hague, Netherlands.
- Why
- To make a global impact, share his experience and knowledge from 15 years of international cricket, and help European players gain exposure and grow cricket in Europe.
- Player
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Team
- Amsterdam Flames
- League
- European T20 Premier League (Europe's first ICC-sanctioned T20 league)
- Tournament dates
- August 26 - September 20
- Host cities
- Dublin, Ireland, and The Hague, Netherlands
- Franchises
- Glasgow, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast, Rotterdam
- Matches
- 33
- Age
- 38
