Rotterdam Dockers Select Jai Moondra as Flagship Pick in ETPL Draft

Rotterdam Dockers have secured Irish all-rounder Jai Moondra as their cornerstone selection, with the player named Player of the Series in Ireland’s 2-0 T20I series victory over India, for their opening pick in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL) player draft. The Dublin-based draft concluded Thursday with all six franchises finalizing their rosters ahead of the competition’s inaugural season.

Complementing Moondra, the Dockers added Netherlands internationals Michael Levitt, Ryan Klein, Vikramjit Singhand Saqib Zulfiqar, along with Scotland’s Jasper Davidson, forming a diverse, multinational core. Co-owner Jonty Rhodes confirmed Moondra was a strategic priority from the outset.

“Jai Moondra was someone we were particularly keen to bring into the squad after the way he has announced himself on the international stage. He is an exciting young talent with tremendous potential, and we’re delighted to have secured him. Alongside Jai, we’ve put together a really exciting group of players from across Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands. We believe we have a strong, balanced squad with the depth and quality to be highly competitive, and we’re looking forward to seeing them come together when the league gets underway,” said Rhodes, as quoted by Cricinfo.

Ravichandran Ashwin on the Guardians’ selection approach

Dublin Guardians captain and mentor Ravichandran Ashwin detailed his team’s draft strategy, prioritizing player quality over national allegiance during the selection process.

“While the majority of our picks were Irish, I think nationality comes second; it’s about the quality of the player and how they will fit into our mix. I do believe that, going into an auction or a draft, every single player that you pick must be a playable resource,” said Ashwin, as quoted by Cricinfo.

The ETPL’s first season commences Wednesday, August 26, with all six franchises—Amsterdam Flames, Irish Wolves, Dublin Guardians, Edinburgh Castle Rockers, Glasgow Cosmic, and Rotterdam Dockers—now confirmed with finalized squads. The league allocated 36 players evenly among Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB), reflecting regional collaboration while maintaining competitive balance.

Source link