As India’s cricketing giants Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma approach the twilight of their ODI careers, the future beyond international cricket is already attracting attention. While both players remain focused on the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, leagues abroad are lining up, hoping to secure their presence once they eventually step away from representing India.
One of the earliest moves has come from the European T20 Premier League (ETPL), an emerging competition scheduled to debut in August this year. At a launch event in Sydney where the ETPL officially unveiled its first three franchises — based in Amsterdam, Edinburgh, and Belfast — league co-owner Abhishek Bachchan made a direct pitch to the Indian legends.
Speaking to sports journalist Vimal Kumar after the announcement, Bachchan said the ETPL was looking for a marquee Indian name to help elevate the tournament’s profile. “Please tell Virat and Rohit that when they retire, they could come and play in the ETPL before any other league,” he said.
Kohli and Rohit draw global interest beyond IPL
The interest in Kohli and Sharma isn’t confined to Europe. Over the years, multiple overseas T20 competitions — including South Africa’s SA20, Australia’s Big Bash League, and the Caribbean Premier League — have expressed strong interest in Indian talent. But under current BCCI rules, Indian players under central contracts cannot participate in foreign leagues, with the IPL remaining the sole exception.
However, once players formally retire from international cricket and exit the BCCI contract system, doors open. Ravichandran Ashwin, for instance, was recently approached by the Big Bash League after he retired from international duty in December 2024, although an injury prevented his participation.
The SA20 has already begun tapping into Indian names. Dinesh Karthik turned out for the Paarl Royals after retiring from India duties, and this year, former India captain Sourav Ganguly joined the Pretoria Capitals as head coach. Despite ongoing interest, MS Dhoni’s participation remains unlikely due to his continued IPL commitments with Chennai Super Kings.
European T20 banks on Indian star power
With the ETPL still in its infancy, attracting a global audience will be a challenge — one the organizers hope to overcome through marquee names. The addition of Kohli or Rohit, even post-retirement, would bring instant legitimacy and visibility to the tournament. With three franchises officially announced so far and more expected to follow, the league is positioning itself for rapid growth in its inaugural season.
Bachchan’s public appeal reflects the broader strategic approach: offer a high-profile, well-funded platform to cricket icons transitioning into their post-India careers, and establish the ETPL as their preferred destination.
Focus stays on 2027, but options await
As the 2027 World Cup looms, both players have yet to publicly confirm whether they’ll continue in India colors beyond the tournament. Kohli will turn 40 and Sharma 41 around the time of the event, making retirement a real possibility — and triggering interest from leagues around the world.
For now, the focus remains squarely on international cricket. But if the ETPL has its way, the next chapter for two of India’s modern greats may unfold on European soil.
