Ravichandran Ashwin Joins ILT20 Auction for Upcoming Season, Marks a New Chapter

Ravichandran Ashwin has chosen a new path. Just three days after announcing his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), the off-spinner, who had already stepped away from international cricket in December last year, is now looking ahead to fresh opportunities in other 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 said.

Ashwin enters ILT20 2026 auction after IPL retirement

He has already moved in that direction. Ashwin has put his name in for the International League T20 (ILT20) 2026 auction. The tournament, held in the UAE, earlier used a draft system, but from this season it will follow an auction format. The auction is set to be held on September 30 in Dubai.

“I have sent my name for the ILT20 auction. Hopefully, I will have a buyer,” Ashwin told Cricbuzz. Ashwin is likely to be picked by one of the six teams, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Desert Vipers, Dubai Capitals, Gulf Giants, MI Emirates, or Sharjah Warriors. If that happens, he will be the fourth Indian player, after Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, and Ambati Rayudu, to feature in the ILT20.

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

Ashwin on Balancing Playing and Coaching

Ashwin had once said he wanted to take up both playing and coaching. He even spoke about it with the Rajasthan Royals management in 2024 before leaving the team, but nothing came of it.

“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. 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,” Ashwin had said.

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