Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, a seasoned player for India, was not selected in the ILT20 Season 4 auction. Having announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League in August, Ashwin entered the auction for overseas leagues with a base price of USD 120,000. Despite his impressive record, no franchise bid on him, and he went unsold.
Ashwin’s departure from the IPL marks the end of an era for one of the league’s most successful players. Across 221 matches for five teams, he took 187 wickets, the fifth-highest in IPL history. He was a key member of Chennai Super Kings’ championship teams in 2010 and 2011. His overall T20 statistics are also strong, with 317 wickets in 333 games. In his most recent IPL auction, he was acquired by CSK for INR 9.75 crore.
While he was not picked up in the ILT20, Ashwin has secured a contract with the Big Bash League. He will play for Sydney Thunder in BBL Season 15, making him the first Indian men’s international player to join a team in the tournament. The 38-year-old is scheduled to join the Thunder in January, aiming to help the team recover from last season’s final loss to the Hobart Hurricanes.
Ashwin expressed his anticipation for the new challenge, complimenting the Thunder’s management for their communication and leadership. He is confident about making a substantial contribution towards the team’s success.
Ashwin shared his enthusiasm: “Thunder was crystal clear about how they would use me and brave enough to back it. My conversations with the leadership were excellent, and we are fully aligned on my role. I love how David Warner (the Sydney Thunder captain) plays the game, and it is always better when your leader shares your mindset. I cannot wait to perform for the Thunder Nation.”
