Just days after announcing his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin has shown interest in participating in the ILT20 League. The experienced off-spinner revealed that he is already in talks with the tournament organizers and is hopeful of attracting a franchise bid in the upcoming auction.
Ashwin, who began his IPL journey in 2009, played his final season in 2025 for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) before officially stepping away from the tournament. In his retirement note shared on X, the 38-year-old stated that he now looks forward to exploring opportunities in overseas T20 leagues.
While speaking to Cricbuzz, the veteran from Tamil Nadu remarked about the ILT20:
“Yes, I am in talks with the organisers. Hopefully, I will have a buyer if I register for the auction.”
The International League T20 (ILT20), which held its inaugural season in 2023, earlier followed a draft model for player signings. However, this year the organisers have shifted to an auction format. The auction is scheduled for September 30 in Dubai, with September 10 set as the deadline for player registrations. The league itself will run from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
Ashwin Likely To Become Fourth Indian Representative In ILT20 League
If Ravichandran Ashwin enters the ILT20 auction and secures a franchise, he would not only be the fourth Indian to feature in the league but also its most high-profile signing yet. So far, Robin Uthappa (Dubai Capitals), Yusuf Pathan (Dubai Capitals), and Ambati Rayudu (MI Emirates) are the only Indians to have participated in the tournament.
During his IPL career, the 38-year-old turned out for Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals. Across 221 IPL matches, he claimed 187 wickets at an average of 30.22 and played a crucial role in CSK’s championship wins in 2010 and 2011. Although CSK re-signed him for a hefty ₹9.75 crore ahead of the 2025 season, he struggled to deliver consistent performances.
Across formats, Ashwin has bagged 317 wickets in 333 T20 appearances, along with a lone half-century to his name. Beyond the IPL, he has also represented the Dindigul Dragons in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), where he captained the side in the latest season.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
