Hexaware Becomes Official Partner of Dublin Guardians for Inaugural European T20 Premier League Season

MUMBAI, India — Hexaware Technologies, an AI-first digital and IT services company listed on the NSE as HEXT, has announced its sponsorship of the Dublin Guardians as an Official Partner for the team's inaugural season in the European T20 Premier League (ETPL).

The sponsorship marks an expansion of Hexaware's association with franchise cricket into Europe. The company previously partnered with the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket in the United States. According to the company, the move aligns with its existing operations in the European region, where it continues to build local teams and capabilities.

The inaugural season of the ETPL, the first ICC-sanctioned league of its kind in mainland Europe, opened on August 26. The tournament features six city-based teams from Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. It is organized in collaboration with Cricket Ireland, Cricket Scotland, and the Royal Dutch Cricket Association.

The league aims to provide European players with expanded opportunities to compete at a professional level alongside established international cricketers. The first season is scheduled to run until September 20, 2026, with matches moving to Malahide in Dublin on September 9 after opening in the Netherlands.

The Dublin Guardians represent the Irish capital in the competition. The franchise ownership includes former India captain and coach Rahul Dravid, who serves as the team's Chairman. The team is captained and mentored by Ravichandran Ashwin, India's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, while Ajit Ravindran serves as the CEO of the franchise.

Commenting on the partnership, Parameshwaran Iyer, Executive Vice President and Head of UK and Europe at Hexaware, stated that the opportunity to support local talent was a key factor in the company's decision. He noted that the ETPL provides players across Europe with a platform to compete at a higher level and strengthens the sport from the grassroots up.

Rahul Dravid welcomed the partnership, highlighting the shared values of teamwork, ambition, and excellence between the organization and the IT services firm. Ajit Ravindran, CEO of the Dublin Guardians, added that Hexaware's focus on building local capability in its operating markets aligns with the franchise's objective of creating development pathways for local players.

"Corporate sponsorships in emerging sports leagues represent a strategic avenue for global technology firms to build brand visibility in specific regional markets. For a company like Hexaware, aligning with a regional sports initiative like the European T20 Premier League helps reinforce its local presence and community engagement in Europe, mirroring similar sports marketing strategies used successfully in other global markets like Major League Cricket." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes