Ravichandran Ashwin reveals reason behind ILT20 auction snub; signs up for entire BBL 15 for Syndey Thunder

Ravichandran Ashwin retired from all cricket in India, including the IPL, in 2025.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that he had signed up for the entire Big Bash League (BBL 15) season for Sydney Thunder. This comes after Ashwin went unsold in the recent ILT20 auction.

The ILT20 season 4 auction was held on October 1. The 37-year-old, who just retired from Indian cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL), had priced himself at $120,000 (about Rs 1.06 crore) in the league’s inaugural auction.

However, his name drew little interest from franchise owners and went unsold when it originally appeared at the auction. Each franchise had USD 800,000 for the auction, plus any remaining funds from the USD 1.2 million set down earlier for direct signings and retentions.

Ashwin has announced his retirement from the Indian cricket, allowing him to compete in tournaments throughout the world. Last year, during the Australia tour, the great off-spinner announced his retirement from international cricket.

“I have signed up with Sydney Thunder for the entire season.”- Ravichandran Ashwin

The Sydney Thunder had signed Ashwin last month for the 15th season of the BBL. The 39-year-old will be eligible for the second half of the BBL, which runs from December 14 to January 25.

However, with him not getting his value in the ILT20 season 4 auction, Ashwin has decided to sign for the entire BBL season for Sydney Thunder. He stated that he was disappointed with the turn of events in the ILT20 auction.

“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. 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 and said that I would enter the auction, I honored my word. However, I did not agree to lowering my base price,” Ashwin told Cricbuzz.

“I have signed up with Sydney Thunder for the entire season,” he added.

Ashwin has vast experience in T20s, taking 317 wickets in 333 T20 games with an economy of 7.11. This includes 187 wickets in the IPL.

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