The cricketing world is slowly coming to terms with a heartbreaking reality: the sun is setting on the careers of two of India’s greatest icons. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have already bid goodbye to T20 Internationals and Test cricket. Now, they are only active in ODIs, leaving fans dreading the inevitable day when they hang up their boots for good. But amidst this emotional countdown, Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan has stepped in with an exciting post-retirement proposition.
Also Read: What Rohit Sharma really thinks about missing the T20 World Cup for the first time
Abhishek Bachchan, who is a co-owner of the upcoming European T20 Premier League (ETPL), has publicly extended an open invitation to the two legends. Speaking to sports journalist Vimal Kumar, he made his intentions clear, hoping to snag the Indian maestros for his league once they are free from national duties.
Bachchan’s message was simple yet direct: “Please tell Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma that when they retire, they could come and play in the ETPL before any other league.”
So, what exactly is this new league? The ETPL, or European T20 Premier League, is a six-team tournament organised by a collaboration of Cricket Scotland, Cricket Ireland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association. The inaugural edition is scheduled to kick off this August. So far, three teams have been confirmed from Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and Belfast. It promises to be a unique event, bringing cricket to new European frontiers.
Currently, BCCI rules prevent contracted players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from participating in overseas leagues. However, once they officially retire from all formats of Indian cricket, they will be free to play wherever they choose. For fans who aren't ready to let go, Abhishek Bachchan’s offer provides a glimmer of hope that we might see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma dominating the pitch in Europe long after they leave the Indian dressing room!
