Is Ashwin Ready for ILT20 Season Four Player Auction After IPL Retirement?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ashwin's IPL Career: Concluded as the fifth-highest wicket-taker.
- ILT20: Ashwin enters player auction for season four.
- Interest from Teams: Multiple teams are keen to sign him.
- Future Leagues: Opportunities in SA20, BBL, The Hundred, and CPL.
- Legacy: Ashwin's impactful contributions to cricket remain significant.
New Delhi, Aug 31 (NationPress) Following his recent retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), former Indian off-spin bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin is gearing up to participate in the player auction for the fourth season of the UAE’s ILT20.
The fourth season of the ILT20 is set to take place from December 2 to January 4, 2026. The deadline for registering for the player auction is September 10, while the auction itself is scheduled for September 30 in Dubai.
“It's confirmed that Ashwin has submitted his name for the upcoming ILT20 auction. Several teams have shown interest in signing him if he enters the auction, making it intriguing to see who ultimately secures his services for the tournament,” sources informed IANS.
Other Indian players who have participated in the ILT20 include Robin Uthappa (Dubai Capitals), Yusuf Pathan (Dubai Capitals), and Ambati Rayudu (MI Emirates). Notably, five teams in ILT20 are owned by Indian proprietors, with three also managing Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
Last week, Ashwin concluded his IPL journey as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the league's history, with 187 wickets in 221 matches at an economy rate of 7.2. He began and ended his IPL tenure with the Chennai Super Kings, contributing significantly to the team's championships in 2010 and 2011.
In his retirement message shared on social media, Ashwin expressed his ambition to compete in international leagues around the world.
During IPL 2025, where CSK finished last, Ashwin played nine matches, taking only seven wickets at a higher economy rate of 9.13 and was even benched at times due to his disappointing performance.
Ashwin has also played for the now-disbanded Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals, and has captained Kings XI Punjab (now known as Punjab Kings) in the IPL. He has accumulated 833 runs in the IPL at a strike rate of 118, including one fifty.
With his IPL retirement, Ashwin now has opportunities to join leagues such as SA20, BBL, The Hundred, and CPL. It would not be surprising if Ashwin opts to engage in more franchise T20 leagues shortly.