CSK Star Ravichandran Ashwin unsold in auction

CSK Star Ravichandran Ashwin: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin went unsold in the inaugural player auction for the ILT20 (International League T20).

This was a major surprise for many, as Ashwin is one of the most successful spinners in T20 cricket, especially following his recent retirement from the IPL, which made him available for overseas leagues.

Ashwin had set his base price at USD 120,000, which was the highest for any player in the auction. This high price tag may have deterred franchises, especially those looking to manage their salary cap across multiple players.

Ashwin has already signed a contract with Sydney Thunder for the upcoming season of Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL). Since the ILT20 runs from December 2 to January 4 and the BBL overlaps with it from mid-December to late January, his limited availability could have been a major concern for ILT20 franchises.

There were unconfirmed reports from commentators during the auction that Ashwin might have voluntarily pulled out of the accelerated round after going unsold initially. If true, this indicates a strategic decision on his part, possibly to prioritize his commitment to the BBL.

What’s Next for Ashwin?

He will become the first male Indian international cricketer to play in the BBL, representing the Sydney Thunder later this year. He could potentially still be signed by an ILT20 franchise as a Wildcard player, as a few teams have a spot for that remaining. It seems the high asking price combined with the conflict with his BBL contract were the primary reasons a bid wasn’t made for the spin legend.

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