Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), went unsold in the International League T20 (ILT20) Season 4 Player Auction held on October 1.
Placed under the $120,000 (₹1.06 crore approx.) price bracket, the 37-year-old did not receive any bids from the six franchises, despite his stature as one of India’s greatest match-winners. The ILT20 auction marked the league’s first-ever bidding process, with each team having a purse of USD 800,000, plus any unspent amount from the USD 1.2 million allocated for direct signings and retentions.
Ashwin’s Big Bash League Breakthrough
While his ILT20 prospects dimmed, Ashwin recently received a career-defining opportunity with Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 15.
The Indian legend will be available for the second half of the tournament, from December 14 to January 25, making him the first Indian male cricketer to play in the competition.
Expressing his excitement, Ashwin told cricket.com.au:
“Thunder were crystal clear about how they’d use me and brave enough to back it. My conversations with the leadership were excellent, and we’re fully aligned on my role. I love how Dave Warner plays the game, and it’s always better when your leader shares your mindset. I can’t wait to perform for the Thunder Nation.”
Thunder Call It “Biggest Signing in BBL History”
Sydney Thunder’s general manager Trent Copeland hailed Ashwin’s arrival as historic, stating:
“I think it’s arguably the biggest signing in BBL history — first Indian legend and an icon of the game.”
He added that Ashwin’s interest in nurturing local talent stood out:
“Before I even mentioned a thing about our club, he said, ‘I loved what Sam Billings did for you guys last year as the overseas player. And if I was to play there, I would really want to make sure I leave a positive impact on Tanveer Sangha and Chris Green.’”
Ashwin’s Journey Beyond IPL and International Cricket
Ashwin bid farewell to international cricket midway through the Australia tour in 2024, and recently announced his IPL retirement, opening doors for stints in overseas leagues.
His BBL move also sets a precedent, as India-born cricketers Unmukt Chand and Nikhil Chaudhary previously played in the tournament only after migrating abroad, but Ashwin becomes the first active Indian legend to participate under his national identity.
Ravichandran Ashwin Goes Unsold In ILT20 Season 4 Auction, Joins Sydney Thunder For BBL 15
