Ravichandran Ashwin Keen to Join The Hundred Following IPL Retirement: Reports

The Hundred is looking to sign Ravichandran Ashwin for its 2026 season. The 39-year-old recently announced his IPL retirement, just months after stepping away from international cricket. Having played his final IPL season with Chennai Super Kings in 2025, Ashwin is now set to explore opportunities in overseas leagues.

According to The Telegraph, Ravichandran Ashwin is keen to feature in The Hundred next year. The tournament is set for a major rebrand with several IPL franchises now involved. Mumbai Indians, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals have all bought stakes in teams.

Ashwin retired from the IPL on Wednesday but plans to keep playing in overseas leagues. At 39, he remains a big name in Indian cricket and is expected to draw crowds wherever he plays. Notably, Ashwin also had a stint with Delhi Capitals before moving to Rajasthan Royals.

The BCCI has a strict rule that doesn’t allow active domestic players to take part in overseas leagues. This means Ashwin can only play abroad now that he has retired from the IPL. A recent example of this was Dinesh Karthik, another Tamil Nadu cricketer retired from the IPL in 2024 and then went on to play for Paarl Royals in the SA20 in 2025.

Indian Owners in The Hundred Franchises May Open Doors

What makes Ashwin’s possible move to The Hundred interesting is the connection between IPL and Hundred teams. Almost half of the franchises in The Hundred are partly or fully owned by Indian groups who already run IPL teams. This could make it easier for Ashwin to step into the league without much trouble. With 765 international wickets to his name, his experience could give The Hundred more strength on the field and attract a bigger global audience. His presence alone could raise the tournament’s value as it tries to grow and compete with the IPL.

That said, Ashwin hasn’t confirmed if he will take part yet and it’s not clear which team might sign him. The top salary in The Hundred is £200,000 (around ₹2.35 crore), which is well within reach for a player of his class. If this move happens, it would be another big chapter in the career of one of India’s most respected and successful spinners.

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