Ravichandran Ashwin signs up for ILT20 auction days after IPL retirement

Ravichandran Ashwin has decided to branch out. The off-spinner had announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) just three days ago, having already left international cricket in December last year. Ashwin had hinted at taking up new opportunities elsewhere via franchise leagues.

“They say every ending will have a new start, my time as an IPL cricketer comes to a close today, but my time as an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today,” Ashwin had said while announcing his IPL retirement.

Ashwin signs for 2026 ILT20 auction

He’s taken a step towards that already. Ashwin has signed up for the International League T20 (ILT20) 2026 auction. The tournament played in the UAE used to follow a draft system, but it has decided to turn to an auction system starting this season, which will take place on September 30 in Dubai.

“I have sent my name for the ILT20 auction. Hopefully, I will have a buyer,” Ashwin told Cricbuzz.

Expected to get picked up by one of the six teams (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, and Sharjah Warriors), Ashwin will become the fourth Indian player after Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, and Ambati Rayudu to play in the ILT20.

The 2026 edition of the tournament will run from December 2, 2025 to January 4, 2026.

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Ashwin to play as player & coach?

Ashwin had talked about wanting to play as a player and coach. He shared how, before leaving the Rajasthan Royals in 2024, he had this chat with the management. But it didn’t go anywhere.

“Actually, when I used to play for Rajasthan Royals, I broached this topic, ‘Can you coach while playing?’ We did speak about it, but it didn’t go anywhere. We had a conversation regarding it, but it didn’t materialise,” Ashwin had said.

He realised that perhaps it couldn’t happen in the IPL. But can Ashwin do so in the ILT20? From the looks of it, he wants that, but will it actually happen? We’ll have to wait and watch.

“To explore that in the IPL is quite tough. Maybe somewhere else; if I’m playing another league, that might happen. I will learn a lot that way. For the last two years, I have done that in TNPL — there is a lot of difference, of course — I’ve learnt a lot there as well. Players are not IPL level, so the work is much more,” he added.

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