The former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is now expected to play the BBL season for the Sydney Thunder, as he went unsold during the ILT20 auction.
As per some reports, Ashwin withdrew from the auction as his expectations were not met, and he will now be available for the entire BBL 2025-26 season.
Ashwin who registered for ILT20 auction for $120,000 has went unsold in the first round and then withdrew his name from the remaining rounds.
Speaking on the withdrawal, Ashwin said, “That’s the price I wanted as a bare minimum, and I’m happy not to play at this stage of my career if my value isn’t met.”
He also added that he was ready to pull out of the ILT20 even before the auction, since the Sydney Thunder deal came through, but still went ahead since he already committed to it.
“I was about to pull out a few days before the auction because of the Thunder deal, but since I had already committed to the ILT20 that I would enter the auction, I honoured my word. However, I did not agree to lowering my base price,” he said.
“I have signed up with Sydney Thunder for the entire season,” he said.
Ashwin went on to announce his retirement from International cricket and soon after he retired from IPL to play in the overseas T20 leagues.
Under BCCI rules, active Indian players cannot participate in foreign leagues to protect IPL’s exclusivity.
However, retired players are free to explore opportunities abroad and Ashwin’s decision to register for ILT20 was part of his shift to global franchise competitions.
Despite going unsold in ILT20 auction, he has become the first Indian cricketer to sign for the Australian club.
“Thunder were crystal clear about how they’d use me and brave enough to back it. My conversations with the leadership were excellent, and we’re fully aligned on my role,” said Ashwin on joining Sydney Thunder.
