Ravichandran Ashwin’s entry into the T20 freelance circuit has taken a bewildering turn even before it has begun. The Indian off-spinner, who retired from IPL earlier this year and quit international cricket, had been widely expected to be a marquee signing in the ILT20 2025 auction in Dubai.
With a base price of USD 120,000, the highest among all players, Ashwin’s presence at the table seemed certain to attract franchises looking for experience and Indian appeal in the UAE’s premier T20 tournament. Yet when the day truly arrived, Ashwin went unsold, leaving fans scratching their heads.
A bewildering move by Ashwin!
Initial speculation was obviously about his high base price or potential age concerns, but a new twist suggests a different story. Reports indicate that Ashwin may have pulled out of the auction at the very last moment. If true, this would explain why no franchise bid for the spinner despite several teams still holding large portions of their purse.
Former New Zealand pacer and commentator Simon Doull, who was one of the pundits, described it as a “massive surprise,” noting that teams with over USD 400,000 left would almost certainly have been keen to secure a player of Ashwin’s calibre.
“We’re hearing that he may have pulled out of the auction, which is a massive surprise. I mean, you’ve got to read the room,” New Zealand’s Simon Doull commented during a live auction broadcast.
“You’ve got to understand what’s going on out there and all that money left, when there are three or four teams with over $400,000 left in their pot. I don’t think they came here not wanting to spend money-it’s there to be spent. If he pulled himself out, then he just hasn’t read the room. I think sides would have gone in for him,” he said.
The scheduling of the ILT20 and the Big Bash League may explain Ashwin’s surprising decision too. The UAE tournament runs from December 2 to January 4, while the BBL starts on December 14 and continues until January 25. Ashwin is already contracted with Sydney Thunder, where he is set to play four matches after the UAE league.
