R Ashwin Set To Register For THIS Overseas T20 League After Announcing IPL Retirement

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has already begun exploring opportunities in the overseas T20 leagues after announcing his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). On August 27, the 38-year-old took to his X handle (formerly Twitter) and announced his IPL retirement while expressing his desire to explore opportunities in T20 leagues across the world.

Ashwin's last appearance in the IPL came this year, playing for Chennai Super Kings, and he picked just seven wickets in nine matches. During his 15-year career in the IPL, Ravichandran Ashwin plied his trade for CSK, Rising Pune Super Giants, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals before returning to the home franchise in the last IPL season.

Ravichandran Ashwin's surprise retirement from the IPL came just a few weeks after the reports of him parting ways with Chennai Super Kings, where he had a homecoming last season after 10 years, but the veteran Indian spinner sought clarity from the franchise's management about his role in the team and was willing to leave if he did not fit in their plans.

Ashwin to register for ILT20 League

After pulling the curtain down on his illustrious IPL career, Ravichandran Ashwin did not waste any time exploring opportunities in T20 leagues. Speaking on his YouTube show, 'Kutti Stories', Ashwin stated that he has already been to one of the overseas leagues, but did not reveal which team he might join.

As per the report by Cricbuzz, the veteran Indian spinner is likely to be registered for the International League T20 2025 Auction, which will take place on September 30 this year. Ashwin stated he is already in talks with the organizers of the tournament and is hoping that he will attract interest from the franchises involved in the league.

“Yes, I am in talks with the organisers. Hopefully, I will have a buyer if I register for the auction," Ashwin told Cricbuzz, confirming his interest in participating in ILT20.

🚨 ASHWIN TO ILT20 🚨- Ashwin will be part of the ILT20 Auction for the upcoming season, A historic move. [Cricbuzz] twitter/c9kS9t5XgS

- Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 31, 2025

Ravichandran Ashwin is free to play overseas T20 leagues as he is no longer associated with the BCCI following his retirement from international cricket in December last year and the IPL. As per the BCCI rule, the contracted Indian players are debarred from participating in overseas T20 leagues, unless they have officially retired from all BCCI-sanctioned cricket, which Ashwin has done.

Ashwin retired as the fifth leading wicket-taker of the IPL, with 187 wickets, including a four-wicket haul, at an average of 30.22 and an economy rate of 7.20 in 221 matches.

Ashwin may join Uthappa, Yusuf, and Rayudu in the elite list

If Ravichandran Ashwin goes under the hammer and gets picked by any of the franchises at the ILT20 League Auction in September, he will join Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, and Ambati Rayudu among Indian players to feature in the UAE League. Uthappa and Rayudu remain the only Indian players to play in the tournament.

Uthappa features 2022/23 edition of the tournament, representing Dubai Capitals, and amassed 218 runs, including a fifty, at an average of 24.22 in nine matches. While Rayudu was part of the MI Emirates that won the ILT20 League title in 2024, the veteran Indian batter did not have an ideal season as he could score only 101 runs at an average of 16.43 in 8 matches.

Apart from the ILT20 League, Ashwin has reportedly his interest to participate in the Major League Cricket (MLC) and England's The Hundred next year.

Ashwin is the third wicket-taker among Indian bowlers in T20 cricket, scalping 317 wickets, including 4 four-wicket hauls, at an average of 26.94 and an economy rate of 7.11 in 33 matches.

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