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India's recently retired off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was expected to be the most expensive buy at the ILT20 auction on October 1, but surprisingly, he went unsold. Ashwin had registered for the auction at USD 120,000 (Rs 1.06 crore approximately), the highest for any player at the auction. He was expected to ignite a bidding war but went unsold in the first round and his name did not appear for the accelerated part of the auction. While it was assumed that the Big Bash League (BBL) contract may have played a role in franchises’ decision-making, former New Zealand cricketer-turned-commentator Simon Doull said otherwise. Doull said that Ashwin may have pulled out of the auction after the first round.
“We're hearing that he may have pulled out of the auction, which is a massive surprise. I mean, you've got to read the room,” Doull commented.
Doull feels that Ashwin made the move too early as franchises would be looking to rope him in the latter stages of the auction as they did not want to spend majority of their bag in the first round.
“You've got to understand what's going on out there and all that money left, when there are 3-4 teams with over $400,000 left in their pot. I don't think they came here not wanting to spend money—it’s there to be spent. If he pulled himself out, then he just hasn't read the room. I think sides would have gone in for him,” he said.
Ashwin has already signed for David Warner-led Sydney Thunder for the BBL 2025-26. It is not clear for how many games he was available to play in the ILT20 2025-26.
However, the 39-year-old can still feature in the ILT20 2025. He can be signed as a wildcard by either MI Emirates and Desert Vipers. Both these franchise are yet to sign their wildcard players.
Indians picked in ILT20 2025 auction
The two former Indian players who were roped in at the auction are Unmukt Chand and Akshay Wakhare. Former India Under-19 World Cup-winning captain, Chand has been signed by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for USD 40,000. Former Ranji Trophy winner, Wakhare will be play for Dubai Capitals for USD 10,000.
India’s veteran T20 campaigners signed before auction
The other two Indians who were pre-signed by the franchises are Dinesh Karthik and Piyush Chawla. Wicketkeeper-batter Karthik will play for Sharjah Warriorz whereas Chawla has joined Knight Riders.
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