Veteran Indian off-spinner R Ashwin recently spoke about going unsold in the ILT20 2025 auction, addressing the reasons behind the outcome. The experienced campaigner admitted that his higher base price played a major role in franchises not placing bids for him.

Ashwin explained that he was fully aware of the risks involved while setting his price but decided to stick with it. He mentioned that franchise cricket is often about balance and strategies, where decisions depend on combinations rather than just individual talent.

Looking ahead, the seasoned bowler shared insights about his future plans. Ashwin expressed his desire to focus on domestic cricket and also hinted at exploring coaching and mentoring opportunities to contribute beyond playing.

See Also: [WATCH] Shubman Gill’s priceless reaction after Dhruv Jurel’s brilliant DRS call sums it up perfectly

Ravichandran Ashwin Speaks About Going Unsold in the ILT20 Auction:

The 39-year-old spin great went unsold after being listed in the top base price category of $120,000. Despite his stature and experience, no franchise showed interest, leaving him without a deal in the ILT20 2025 auction.

Ashwin said,“ That's the price I wanted as a bare minimum, and I'm happy not to play at this stage of my career if my value isn't met. I was about to pull out a few days before the auction because of the Thunder deal, but since I had already committed to the ILT20 that I would enter the auction, I honoured my word. However, I did not agree to lowering my base price.”

Ashwin to Participate in Big Bash League:

Ashwin had previously announced that he would not participate in the entire Big Bash League season but would play in every match for the Sydney Thunder. The upcoming BBL 2025 is scheduled to run from December 14 to January 25, offering him a chance to contribute selectively while managing his workload. He further said, “ I have signed up with Sydney Thunder for the entire season.”

Ashwin is poised to make history as the first prominent Indian male cricketer to participate in the Big Bash League later this year, marking a significant milestone in his career and opening doors for more Indian players in the Australian T20 competition.

He added, “Thunder were crystal clear about how they’d use me and brave enough to back it. My conversations with the leadership were excellent, and we’re fully aligned on my role. I love how Dave Warner plays the game, and it’s always better when your leader shares your mindset. I can’t wait to perform for the Thunder Nation.”

According to The Daily Telegraph, Ashwin is keen to feature in the upcoming season of The Hundred tournament. Additionally, he is scheduled to represent India in the Hong Kong Sixes tournament this November, continuing his active involvement in global T20 competitions ahead of the BBL 2025.

Legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin went unsold in the ILT20 Season 4 auction. After retiring from the Indian Premier League in August, Ashwin wanted to try his luck in overseas leagues and registered for the ILT20 auction. He set his base price at USD 120,000 (around INR 1.06 crore), but no franchise owners placed a bid when his name came up.

Ashwin has had a fantastic IPL career, playing 221 matches across five franchises and becoming the seventh most-capped player in the league. He won the IPL twice with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011 and took 187 IPL wickets, which is the fifth highest in the tournament’s history. Overall, he has 317 wickets in 333 T20 games. In his last IPL auction, he was sold to Chennai Super Kings for a huge INR 9.75 crore.

Even though he went unsold in ILT20, Ashwin has already signed with Sydney Thunder for the Big Bash League (BBL) Season 15. He will be the first male player who has represented India to play in the BBL, making it a historic signing for the franchise.

Ashwin Joins Sydney Thunder for BBL|15

"Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin has created history, joining Sydney Thunder for BBL|15. The Thunder Nation will welcome the biggest overseas signing since the League's inception, with Ashwin set to become the first male player to have represented India to join a BBL club," the team said in a release.

See Also: Women's World Cup 2025 Match 3: BAN-W vs PAK-W head-to-head, stadium stats, predicted playing XIs & points table

Ashwin will join the Thunder line-up in early January and will help the team try to reach back-to-back BBL finals, after they lost to Hobart Hurricanes last season. The veteran spinner is excited about his new journey and praised the team’s leadership for being clear about his role.

"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," said Ashwin.

The former Indian spin all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, has a base price of USD 120000 for the 2025-26 season of the International League T20 auction, which will take place in Dubai on October 01. This will be the highest price for any player in the auction. The veteran has already retired from international cricket and IPL, which has opened a new future.

Ashwin is the only player in the auction list with a base price in the six figures. If he gets picked, then this tournament will be his first overseas T20 league. The 39-year-old is one of the 24 Indians in the auction list, which has nearly 800 players as of now. A final list will be made later this week once the tournament committee gets the wish list from each franchise.

See Also: Major update reveals Ravichandran Ashwin's new challenge in T20s

The fourth season of the competition will be of six teams and will be played between December 02 and January 04. Ashwin has listed the full availability for the event, after which he is likely to fly to Australia for the 2025-25 season of the Big Bash League, where four teams have shown their interest in signing the player in the latter half.

Ravichandran Ashwin enters ILT20 auction at price of USD120000

Ashwin has overall picked 317 wickets in 329 innings at an average of under 27 and a strike rate of 22.70 with an economy rate of just over seven, at the best bowling figure of 4/8 in an inning. With the bat, he has creamed 1233 runs at a strike rate of 119.59, thanks to one half-century at the best score of 50 runs.

As per the squad composition rules, each franchise will need to have a minimum of 19 players and a maximum of 21 players, excluding the wildcards. The franchises had carried out their retentions and direct signing of the players in July.

Each side can spend up to USD 1.2 million on the retention and direct signing of the players, with the remaining amount added to the auction purse of USD 800000. Even though a franchise can use its entire purse of USD 2 million, it will need to spend a minimum of USD 1.5 million.

Ravichandran Ashwin can play in ILT20, as he has already registered his name in the tournament. Now, he'll have to wait and see which franchises show interest in acquiring his service. Accumulating last season's tournament, there can be multiple franchises that can show interest in the experienced all-rounder. Through this article we'll try to find some ILT20 teams that may bid for the former international cricketer. 

3 teams that can show interest in Ravichandran Ashwin:

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: This franchise needs to cash in for a prolific spin-bowling all-rounder, as they have to find a proper bowling partner for Sunil Narine. They have West Indies' Roston Chase as a spin-bowling all-rounder to accompany Narine. But the quality between these two cricketers, in terms of spin bowling, is massive.

Roston is more like a batter-cum-spinner rather than a spinner-cum-batter. On the contrary, Ashwin is mostly famous for his bowling person, who has the potential to add some runs from the lower order. 

Read More: Who is Manan Bhardwaj who clinched the Player of the Match award in Qualifier 2 of DPL 2025

MI Emirates: There is a vacancy for a spinner in the MI Emirates squad, as they already released West Indies international Akeal Hosein and Waqar Salamkheil. Both had performed poorly, unable to match the expectations. Ahead of next season's ILT20, this franchise must sign a world-class spinner. Without any doubts, Ashwin has the potential to fill up this space. 

Gulf Giants: The name of the franchise in the list might not sound appropriate, but they may have the requirement for a spin bowling all-rounder. In their last season's squad, they have multiple pace bowling all-rounders to support the lower end of the batting and bowling according to the conditions of the match.

Gulf Giants had multiple well-known all-rounders, but they also had to deal with inconsistency. On a dry surface, a slower or spin bowler can prove more effective than a fast bowler. Additionally, Ravichandran Ashwin can add value with his batting skills as well. 

After taking retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ravichandran Ashwin has registered his name for the upcoming ILT20. He revealed his future plans during a recent interaction. There, Ashwin said that he has sent his name in the franchise league, outside India, and is keeping his fingers crossed with the hope of finding a buyer. After signing off from international duties, Ashwin stepped out from IPL as well. After closing the IPL chapter of his career, the former international is now looking for opportunities he did not explore before. If he is able to find a team in ILT20, then the spinner's travel to the less traveled roads will begin. 

"I won’t say it’s a well-planned decision. But my way of life has been travelling paths less travelled. But I don’t do anything for not going in a particular direction. I wouldn’t deny that I didn’t have in mind the thought of playing overseas," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

"It was there. In my mind, I want to really enjoy cricket in the final stages of my cricket career. I don’t want any regrets in life. I will definitely keep playing cricket. For me, cricket is a source of great joy." 

Read More: Caribbean Premier League 2025—Players battle to watch out match 18

After this, in a media conversation, he spoke about his desire to play in the ILT20 as he quoted, "I have sent my name for the ILT20 auction. Hopefully, I will have a buyer." 

The 38-year-old, throughout his IPL career, played a total of 221 matches, claiming 187 wickets, including a 4/34 bowling figure and a 7.20 economy rate. With the bat, in 98 innings, the all-rounder got 833 runs in total before retiring from IPL.

The International League T20 (ILT20) Season 4 Player Auction will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, in Dubai. This exciting event will allow all six teams participating in the tournament to strengthen their squads by selecting fresh talent for the upcoming season.

Each team will have the opportunity to pick 13 players during the auction, contributing to a total of 78 new additions across all franchises. These players will join the already retained or pre-signed group of eight per team, helping shape competitive and balanced squads for Season 4.

Players who wish to be considered for selection in the auction must complete their registration by Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The ILT20 provides a great platform for cricketers worldwide to showcase their skills on an international stage, and this year’s auction promises to bring in fresh faces and exciting prospects for fans to follow.

See Also: Cricket Australia CEO believes fiery England-India Series boosts Ashes ticket demand

Six Franchise’s Budget in ILT20 Auction:

The six ILT20 franchises will collectively have a total auction purse of USD 4.8 million to use for player signings. Specific details, such as each team’s remaining budget from direct signings, the auction sequence, and the complete list of available players, will be released soon by the organizers ahead of the Season 4 Player Auction.

ILT20 CEO David White said, “ We are delighted to confirm the International League Season 4 Player Auction date – Tuesday, 30 September. The auction is a big milestone for the league as we continue to grow as a world-class T20 tournament. The auction will be a great opportunity for our franchises to add local and international firepower to their Season 4 squads."

Local UAE cricketers have a big chance to catch the eye of team scouts ahead of the auction. The ACC Asia Cup 2025, set for September 9–28 in the UAE, offers them the platform to perform against some of the top T20 sides in the game.

All six franchises have finalized their initial player signings ahead of the upcoming ILT20 season. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders have signed top players such as Alex Hales and Andre Russell. Desert Vipers picked up Sam Curran and Wanindu Hasaranga, while Dubai Capitals added Rovmann Powell and Shai Hope to their squad.

Gulf Giants kept key players James Vince and Moeen Ali. MI Emirates brought in Chris Woakes and Kusal Perera, and Sharjah Warriors included Tim David and Johnson Charles for the upcoming season. The tournament will feature 34 matches across a month, promising high-octane T20 action.

Cricket is gearing up for a major global shake-up as the Champions League T20 format is set to return – this time with a new identity. Reports suggest the revamped competition will be called the World Club Championship, bringing together the winners of the world’s top T20 franchise leagues in a blockbuster tournament format.

Several sources have indicated that the event will take place in 2026, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) being two of the most invested in the revival. Furthermore, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has also given support to the idea, signalling its desire to take club T20 cricket globally.

Participating Leagues in the Inaugural Edition:

However, there’s a major omission. No team from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will feature in the first edition, reportedly due to Pakistan Cricket Board’s absence from a key meeting held in London. The meeting, hosted under the ICC’s umbrella, was attended by representatives of all the major T20 leagues, including the Emirates League, SA20, CPL, and more. The Lahore Qalandars, the reigning PSL champions, will miss out.

Building a Unified T20 Ecosystem – and Blunting Saudi Ambitions

ECB CEO Richard Gould, in a statement to ESPNcricinfo, confirmed that the tournament is indeed "on the cards" for both men and women, calling it “the next logical step” for the evolution of franchise cricket.

The World Club Championship is also reportedly being fast-tracked to counter the emergence of the Saudi Cricket League, a high-budget T20 initiative backed by a reported USD 400 million investment. Saudi plans to model their league on the tennis Grand Slam format, but opposition from top cricket boards like the BCCI and ECB – who are unlikely to grant NOCs to their players – has already created roadblocks.

ALSO SEE: RCB analyst credits this player over Virat Kohli for their maiden IPL 2025 title victory

With nearly every cricketing nation now boasting a franchise T20 league, a unified global competition makes strategic sense. It not only provides a global stage for top-performing teams but also gives players from emerging leagues – like those in the UAE and USA – a golden opportunity to rub shoulders with the sport’s elite.

A Global Reboot of Franchise Cricket's Biggest Stage

The concept closely mirrors the now-defunct Champions League T20, which ran from 2009 to 2014. That tournament saw top clubs from the IPL, BBL, South Africa’s Ram Slam, and others compete in a high-stakes, intercontinental format. The new World Club Championship aims to revive that legacy – but with a more inclusive, globally aligned structure.

Though the exact format and schedule are still under discussion, the World Club Championship is likely to:

• Feature winners (or top teams) from each major T20 league
  
• Rotate venues globally
  
• Feature both men’s and women’s editions in the long run
  
• Be supported by strong broadcast and commercial deals
  

The stage is now being set for what could become cricket’s ultimate franchise showdown. With most of the cricketing world on board and ICC backing secured, the World Club Championship promises to redefine the global T20 calendar – and spark new rivalries along the way.

The cricket world is preparing to see another box office show in ILT20. The tournament has started the countdown for the fourth consecutive season. For the upcoming seasons, multiple star players from England announced their availability for the upcoming campaign. Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Phil Salt, and Sam Curran will play for their respective teams in the 2025 ILT20. The team-building process is underway; multiple top-graded signings are done already.

Franchises more or less maintain their previous squad with some reinforcements. Defending champion Dubai Capitals this time too, on their way to maintain a solid squad. They were already roped in multiple bowlers like Waqar Salamkheil, Luke Wood, and Muhammad Jawadullah. On the other side, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders added multiple swashbuckling batters to their lineup. 

Teams and new signings for ILT20 season 4:

Dubai Capitals: Luke Wood, Waqar Salamkheil, and Muhammad Jawadullah.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Alex Hales, Liam Livingstone, and Sherfane Rutherford.

Gulf Giants: Azmatullah Omarzai, Moeen Ali, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

MI Emirates: Chris Woakes and Kamindu Mendis.

Sharjah Warriorz: Maheesh Theekshana, Sikandar Raza, Saurabh Netravalkar, and Tim David.

Desert Vipers: Andries Gous.

Read More: List to players to score fastest triple century in Test cricket ft. Wiaan Mulder

Along with new additions, multiple players are returning to the previous teams. Popular names like Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Phil Salt, Shai Hope, Wanindu Hasaranga, Tim Southee, and many other internationally established cricketers did not change their ships. 

Teams and their returning players for the 4th season of ILT20:

Dubai Capitals: Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Gulbadin Naib, Rovmann Powell, and Shai Hope.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Phil Salt, and Sunil Narine.

Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, and Mark Adair.

MI Emirates: AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kusal Perera, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, and Muhammad Waseem.

Sharjah Warriorz: Johnson Charles, Kusal Mendis, Tim Southee, and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

Desert Vipers: Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran, and Wanindu Hasaranga.

In a gripping exhibition of grace and poise, Hashim Amla reminded the world of cricket why he remains among the greatest openers ever. The seasoned batsman played an unbeaten match-winning 82 in the ILT20*, reminding us again that form may be transitory, but class is permanent.

Amla's Vintage Knock Stuns the Opposition

Amla turned back the clock with a perfectionist 82,* leading his side to win in ILT20. Hi

Amla's ILT20 Masterclass: A Combination of Experience and Class

1. A Confident Start

Right from the very first ball, Amla seemed to be in command. Rather than taking on monstrous big shots in a rash manner, he set up a platform well, ensuring stability for his side.

2. Precision Over Power

Rather than sheer strength, Hashim Amla relied on timing and placement. His innings featured:

• Trademark cover drives – a joy for those who value cricket above all else.
• Sculptured strokes between mid-wicket seem easy, with elegant efficacy.
• Clever single movements - along with multiple smoother movements - ensure that the score does not remain stagnant.

3. Changing Speed at the Right Time

Amla timed his innings well, changing his tempo for each stage of the innings:

• First few overs: Concentrated towards constructing a base.
• Middle overs: Kept the scorecard ticking with intelligent singles and timely boundaries.
• Death overs: Took advantage of loose bowling to finish well.

His measured acceleration left the opposition grasping at straws.

Also See: Travis Head Luck Factor Against India Continues As Shami Drops A Sitter

The Turning Point: Amla's Composed Acceleration

As the required run rate mounted, Amla rose to the occasion at the right moment.

• Kept his cool when tensions were rising and wickets were falling around him.
• Picked his moments astutely to go attacking without playing loose cricket.
• Got the fielding in order to perfection, keeping his side in control on the hunt.

By the final overs, Amla had already secured a comfortable victory for his team..

Experience Triumphs Over Youth

At 41, Amla demonstrated that experience is still very much worth its weight in T20 cricket. His game-reading skills and ability to adjust were a lesson for young players.

His innings weren't merely about the runs—it was a statement. The cricketing world saw a master reminding everyone that class never goes out of fashion.