Ravichandran Ashwin's Surprising Absence in ILT20 Auction Sparks Speculation

The recent ILT20 auction saw India's legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin go unsold, leading to widespread speculation about his withdrawal. Despite entering the auction with a high base price, Ashwin attracted no bids, prompting discussions about his decision to pull out. Broadcasters expressed surprise at his absence, noting the significant funds remaining with several teams. Following this, Ashwin has signed with the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League season. This article delves into the details of Ashwin's auction experience and his future in cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 2, 2025, 20:45 IST

Ashwin's Auction Drama Unfolds

The recent auction for the fourth season of the ILT20 has stirred significant buzz, particularly surrounding the absence of India's renowned spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin. His name notably did not appear during the accelerated auction rounds, leading to confusion and speculation regarding his withdrawal from the bidding process.

Following his retirement from the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) in August, Ashwin expressed his desire to explore various leagues and registered for the ILT20 auction with a starting price of $120,000, the highest among participants. However, he failed to attract any bids after the fifth round.

Unexpected Withdrawal from the Auction

Auctioneer Richard Madley waited nearly two minutes for a potential bidder, but none emerged. Many anticipated Ashwin would re-enter during the final accelerated rounds, but to everyone's astonishment, he did not.

Broadcaster Simon Doull commented on the situation during a live post-auction discussion, expressing surprise at Ashwin's decision to withdraw. He noted, "You have to gauge the atmosphere. There was still significant money available, with three teams holding over $400,000 in their budgets. If Ashwin opted out, it suggests he misread the situation."

Valuable Player Left on the Table

Owais Shah, who was alongside Doull, remarked, "Initially, when we learned he had withdrawn, we thought it was premature. Auctions often unfold unpredictably, and with the remaining funds, he could have easily secured a deal worth $200,000 or more. He is undoubtedly worth every cent."

After the auction, each team had over $120,000 left in their budgets, with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Dubai Capitals, and Gulf Giants each exceeding $500,000. Given the financial capabilities of the franchises, Ashwin had ample opportunities to find a team in the ILT20.

Ashwin's Commitment to Sydney Thunder

In a recent development, Ashwin signed with the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming 15th season of the Big Bash League. He is expected to join the team in early January, aiming to help them reach consecutive BBL finals.

Ashwin shared with ESPNcricinfo that after realizing he would not receive significant interest in the ILT20 auction, he decided to withdraw. He stated, "I had verbally agreed with ILT20, but the offers from franchises were quite low since direct signings had closed. The Thunder presented a solid offer, and I entered the auction with a minimum price in mind, but I was also open to joining the BBL."