Can Ravichandran Ashwin play in foreign T20 leagues after IPL retirement? BCCI ruling on Indians in other leagues explained

Ravichandran Ashwin retired from IPL after 187 wickets in 221 matches.

Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on August 27, 2025. After being repurchased for Rs 9.75 crore at the Jeddah super auction, the Chennai-born cricket player, who played for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2025 season, made his decision public in a heartfelt statement.

In 2009, Ashwin made his IPL debut with CSK, and he was instrumental in their back-to-back championship wins in 2010 and 2011. Last year, he announced his retirement from international cricket.

Over the years, he played for the Delhi Capitals (DC), Punjab Kings (PBKS), now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants (RPSG), and Rajasthan Royals (RR) before joining CSK again in 2025. In 221 games, the crafty off-spinner claimed 187 wickets at an economy rate of 7.20.

His homecoming to CSK in IPL 2025 proved to be a disappointing one, as he picked 7 wickets in 9 games as the team ended at the bottom of the points table. Ravi Ashwin also captained the Kings XI Punjab (now PBKS) franchise in IPL 2018 and 2019.

Ravi Ashwin announces IPL retirement, but can he play for foreign T20 leagues?

Ashwin announced his decision to leave international cricket in December of last year, just before the fifth and final test match between Australia and India. The 38-year-old Ashwin hinted at the beginning of a new chapter in his career by announcing his departure from the IPL and his intention to play in T20 tournaments throughout the globe.

“They say every ending will have a new start. My time as an IPL cricketer comes to a close today, but my time as an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today. Would like to thank all the franchisees, the IPL, and the BCCI for all the wonderful memories,” Ashwin wrote on X.

However, despite excitement about Ashwin playing in foreign leagues like the BBL, the SA20 league, and others, the BCCI has drafted strict rules for ex-Indian players to play in overseas T20 leagues.

For any men’s player to play in overseas leagues, the following conditions must be met:

Retirement from international cricket: retiring from the Indian national team.

Retirement from domestic cricket: This includes first-class (e.g., Ranji Trophy) and List A cricket.

Retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL): The player must also retire from the IPL.

Ashwin has fulfilled all of these criteria, as he has retired from international cricket, IPL cricket, and domestic cricket as well. He is free to appear in foreign T20 leagues if and when picked.

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