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Photograph: (Source: @JunaidKhanation X)
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Despite being one of the top players in the player pool, legendary Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin failed to sell at the ILT20 2026 auction. When the 39-year-old entered with the highest base price of USD 120,000, no offers were made. Even though Ashwin didn't sell in the auction, he has already signed a historic contract with the Sydney Thunder for the Big Bash League (BBL), becoming the first Indian player to play in the league.
The all-rounder was a star player when he entered the ILT20 auction. He retired from the IPL in August 2025 and from international cricket in December 2024. However, Ashwin failed to find a buyer in the first round due to the high base price. The Chennai native might, however, be selected in the subsequent fast round.
ILT20 2026 Auction Shock:
Ravichandran Ashwin went unsold in the ILT20 pic.twitter.com/dDCUZoirue
— HARSHIT 🕷 (@I_am_Harshit_17) October 1, 2025
Ashwin had an incredible IPL career, finishing as a legend with 221 games played for five different teams, ranking seventh in the league in terms of caps. Having won two titles with the Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011, he finished fifth all-time with 187 IPL wickets and took 317 wickets in 333 T20 matches. The Chennai Super Kings purchased Ashwin for an incredible INR 9.75 crore after he was sold during the previous IPL season.
Interestingly, he wasn't the only well-known person to be turned down at the auction. In an auction that saw over 300 players put up for auction, Pakistan's Muhammad Amir, valued at USD 80,000, and England's seasoned fast bowler James Anderson, who had a base price of USD 40,000, also failed to sell. His signing for the 2025–26 Big Bash League season was already revealed by the Sydney Thunder ahead of the ILT20 auction, marking a significant milestone for the team and Indian cricket. Ashwin is now the first Indian male cricketer with a cap to play in the BBL. Ashwin himself was thrilled to be a part of the team.
Watch this space for more cricket news and updates.
