Ravichandran Ashwin Set for ILT20 and Big Bash League Stints After Retirement

For Ravichandran Ashwin, retirement from international cricket hasn’t meant slowing down—it has meant expanding horizons. The veteran off-spinner is now on the verge of scripting a unique chapter in his career by featuring in both the UAE’s ILT20 and Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) later this year, according to reports from Cricbuzz.

At 39 years old, most cricketers wind down, but Ashwin has other plans. Having recently quit the IPL after a decorated career that included two titles with Chennai Super Kings, he declared his desire to become an “explorer of the game” across global franchise leagues. True to his word, he has already registered for the ILT20 auction and is being courted by multiple BBL franchises.

BBL Interest Grows

Ashwin isn’t short of suitors in Australia. The Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, and Adelaide Strikers are reportedly keen to bring him into their squads. If finalized, this will be Ashwin’s first-ever stint in the Australian T20 competition.

ILT20 Deal Nearly Done

While BBL negotiations are ongoing, Ashwin’s ILT20 participation looks confirmed. With the auction set to finalize squads soon, he is among the 24 Indians on the auction list, with a reported base price of ₹1.06 crore—the highest for any player this season.

Spin-friendly surfaces in Dubai and Abu Dhabi make Ashwin a prized signing, and his years of IPL experience could prove invaluable for whichever franchise secures him.

Scheduling Challenges Ahead

The major hurdle will be scheduling. The ILT20 runs from Dec 2 to Jan 4, while the BBL spans Dec 14 to Jan 25, meaning Ashwin may not play full seasons of either. Current indications suggest he will begin in the UAE before flying to Australia for a limited BBL stint.

Exploring More Leagues

Ashwin’s ambitions may stretch further—reports suggest he could also feature in Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA or The Hundred in the UK, making him one of the few Indian players to juggle multiple overseas leagues in a single calendar year.

As Ashwin himself put it: “I have registered for the auction. Hopefully, one of the six franchises will be interested in bidding for me.”

His globe-trotting franchise career could make him the face of a new era for retired Indian cricketers.

Quick Facts – R. Ashwin’s Franchise Shift

• Age: 39
• Retired: From international cricket & IPL (2024)
• ILT20 Auction Base Price: ₹1.06 crore (highest this season)
• BBL Suitors: Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Adelaide Strikers
• ILT20 Dates: Dec 2, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
• BBL Dates: Dec 14, 2025 – Jan 25, 2026
• Other Leagues in Talks: MLC (USA), The Hundred (UK)