A stunning development unfolded at the ILT20 2025 auction in Dubai as former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, a name synonymous with match-winning performances, remained unsold. The 38-year-old veteran, who had entered the bidding with a base price of USD 120,000, left many cricket enthusiasts and experts astonished by this unforeseen turn of events.
Ashwin had registered for the UAE-based league, a move that garnered significant attention following his recent retirement from both international cricket and the Indian Premier League. His availability for global T20 leagues was widely anticipated to be a hot topic, making his auction snub even more perplexing.
During his illustrious career, Ashwin carved out a stellar legacy in the Indian Premier League. He retired as a true legend, having played 221 matches across five franchises, solidifying his position as the seventh most-capped player in the league’s history. A two-time IPL champion with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011, Ashwin boasts an impressive tally of 187 IPL wickets, placing him fifth on the all-time list. Across all T20 matches, he has claimed a remarkable 317 wickets in 333 appearances. His last IPL auction stint saw him command a substantial INR 9.75 crore from CSK, a testament to his undeniable value in the shortest format of the game.
Despite his unexpected outcome at the ILT20 auction, Ashwin has already secured a new venture. He has officially signed to play for the Sydney Thunder in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) Season 15. This groundbreaking move marks a significant moment, as he becomes the first male cricketer to have represented the Indian national team to join a BBL club.
In an official statement, the Sydney Thunder enthusiastically announced, “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.”