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Vijay Shankar Joins Dublin Guardians in the inaugural European T20 Premier League, linking up with captain Ravichandran Ashwin at a franchise co-owned by Rahul Dravid.
For the former India allrounder, it completes a route he set in motion three months ago. Shankar retired from Indian domestic cricket and the IPL in May 2026, a decision taken specifically to make himself available for overseas franchise competitions, which BCCI regulations close off to active Indian players.
Vijay Shankar Reunites With Ashwin and Rahul Dravid in ETPL 2026
The most striking thing about this signing is not the cricket. It is the history.
Shankar, Ashwin and Dravid all played local league cricket together in Chennai in the early 2010s. Ashwin has spoken about that period, noting that he captained Dravid in a club championship final in the city around 13 years ago, long before Dravid became India’s head coach and long before either man’s career took the shape it eventually did.
Shankar’s connection to Dravid extends beyond club cricket. The two worked together during Shankar’s time in the India A set up, where Dravid oversaw the development pipeline that produced much of the current India side.
Ashwin has described the bond he shares with Dravid over the past five years, pointing to what he learned about leadership while playing under him for India, and to the rapport the two developed as Dravid came to understand his game. Now they are working together again, this time with Ashwin leading on the field and Dravid holding an ownership stake.
Completing the Indian presence at the franchise, Vikram Rathour has been appointed head coach. Rathour served as India’s batting coach for several years, including through the 2023 World Cup cycle, and his arrival gives Dublin a coaching and ownership structure drawn almost entirely from Indian cricket’s recent leadership group.
What Vijay Shankar Brings to Dublin Guardians
Shankar is a seam bowling allrounder who played 21 white ball internationals for India across 2018 and 2019. He made 223 runs in 12 ODIs at an average of 31.85, and 101 runs in nine T20 Internationals at a strike rate of 138.35.
His India career is best remembered for the circumstances around the 2019 World Cup rather than the numbers, but his franchise value has always rested on flexibility. He bats through the middle order, bowls medium pace, and gives a captain options in both departments, which matters more in a six team league with limited squad depth.
Since retiring from Indian cricket he has stayed active, playing competitive league cricket in Chennai before joining Kandy Royals for the Lanka Premier League. He arrives in Dublin with recent match time behind him rather than coming in cold.
Dublin Guardians Squad for ETPL 2026
Dublin Guardians have assembled one of the more balanced groups in the competition, mixing Irish internationals with a substantial overseas contingent.
Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Craig Young and Ben Calitz form a strong Irish core, all with international experience. The overseas signings are led by James Vince, who has scored more than 13,000 T20 runs across a long franchise career, and New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell, who joins as a direct overseas acquisition.
The United States are represented by Harmeet Singh and Sanjay Krishnamurthi, the latter having played in the UAE’s ILT20 and Guyana’s Global Super League. Australia’s Peter Hatzoglou brings leg spin, England’s Chris Wood adds seam, and UAE captain Muhammad Waseem provides an aggressive top order option.
The full squad reads: R Ashwin (captain), Vijay Shankar, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, James Vince, Daryl Mitchell, Muhammad Waseem, Noah Croes, Ben Calitz, Harmeet Singh, Josh Little, Matthew Hollard, Craig Young, Chris Greaves, Peter Hatzoglou, Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Chris Wood.
Dublin’s picks at the draft on 2 July were Benjamin Calitz, George Dockrell, Matthew Hollard, Craig Young, Noah Croes and Chris Greaves.
Why Recently Retired Indian Players Are Joining ETPL 2026
Shankar’s path is becoming a familiar one. The BCCI does not permit contracted or active Indian players to appear in overseas franchise leagues, which means only cricketers who have formally retired from Indian cricket are eligible.
That rule has turned competitions like the ETPL into a natural next step for Indian players in the period immediately after they step away. Ashwin retired from international cricket during the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar series and from the IPL at the end of the 2025 season, then played Major League Cricket for San Francisco Unicorns before committing to Dublin. Ajinkya Rahane signed with Amsterdam Flames as their marquee player earlier this month, days after announcing his own retirement.
For the ETPL, this is a commercial advantage as much as a cricketing one. Indian names bring Indian viewers, and a first season league needs an audience. The ownership structure reflects the same logic: Abhishek Bachchan is a co-founder of the league, Dhiraj Malhotra, the former Delhi Capitals chief executive, is among the investor group, and now Dravid owns part of a franchise.
European T20 Premier League 2026: Schedule, Teams and Format
The ETPL runs from 26 August to 20 September 2026 and is the first ICC sanctioned multi country franchise T20 league in Europe. It was launched in partnership between Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association, with six franchises representing Amsterdam, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Rotterdam.
The ownership groups across the league are unusually player heavy. Steve Waugh is co-founder and chief cricket officer at Amsterdam Flames. Glenn Maxwell is both co-owner and captain of Belfast Wolves. Faf du Plessis captains Rotterdam Dockers and co-owns the franchise alongside Jonty Rhodes, John Abraham and Heinrich Klaasen. Chris Gayle is also involved in an ownership capacity.
Matches begin at Voorburg in the Netherlands, where the first 17 fixtures are scheduled, before the tournament relocates to Malahide in Dublin for the closing league games, the Qualifier on 19 September and the final the following day.
Dublin Guardians open their campaign on 27 August against Belfast Wolves at Voorburg, which sets up an early meeting between Ashwin’s side and Maxwell’s.
For Shankar, it is a fresh start in an unfamiliar setting, alongside two men he has known since long before any of them were household names.
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Vijay Shankar Joins Dublin Guardians: FAQs
1. Why did Vijay Shankar join Dublin Guardians?
Vijay Shankar joined Dublin Guardians after retiring from Indian domestic cricket and the IPL in May 2026. His retirement made him eligible to participate in overseas franchise competitions such as the European T20 Premier League.
2. Who will Vijay Shankar play alongside at Dublin Guardians?
Vijay Shankar will play alongside Ravichandran Ashwin, who is the captain of Dublin Guardians. The franchise is also co-owned by Rahul Dravid, making the move a notable reunion for the former India teammates and colleagues.
3. What is Vijay Shankar’s role in Dublin Guardians?
Vijay Shankar is expected to provide all-rounder options to Dublin Guardians. He can contribute as a middle-order batter and medium-pace bowler, giving captain Ravichandran Ashwin additional flexibility in the team.
4. Who are the key players in the Dublin Guardians squad?
The Dublin Guardians squad includes Ravichandran Ashwin, Vijay Shankar, Harry Tector, George Dockrell, James Vince, Daryl Mitchell, Josh Little, Craig Young, Muhammad Waseem, Harmeet Singh, Peter Hatzoglou and Chris Wood, among others.
5. When will Vijay Shankar and Dublin Guardians begin their ETPL 2026 campaign?
Dublin Guardians will begin their European T20 Premier League 2026 campaign on 27 August 2026 against Belfast Wolves at Voorburg in the Netherlands.