The European T20 Premier League (ETPL) is an essential expansion for the current landscape of franchise cricket, particularly because the shortest format has secured its long-term future over 50-over cricket, Indian spin icon Ravichandran Ashwin stated on Thursday.

Ashwin, who is set to lead the Dublin Guardians franchise in the competition, believes that the ETPL arrives at a perfect time. With cricket scheduled to make its historic return to the Olympic Games in 2028, Ashwin views the league as a vital way to spread the sport across the globe.