 "R Ashwin could soon become the biggest Indian name to play in an overseas T20 league. Image: Reuters")
Former India cricketer R Ashwin is ready to walk the talk as he is making efforts to feature in the upcoming International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE. While retiring from the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ashwin had expressed that he would want to explore opportunities across overseas franchise leagues .
Ashwin is reportedly in talks with the ILT20 organisers to enter the auction. The ILT20 will be played from 2 December to 4 January. The ILT20 auction is scheduled to take place on 30 September in Dubai.
Ashwin makes big move toward foreign leagues
The ILT20 has always used the draft system to pick players, but starting from the upcoming season, it will be using the auction system. The registration of the players for the auction ends on 10 September.
Ashwin confirmed to Cricbuzz that he is talking with the organisers and hopes to find a buyer in the event. “Yes, I am in talks with the organisers. Hopefully, I will have a buyer if I register for the auction,” Ashwin said.
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If Ashwin is picked in the ILT20 auction, he would become the biggest Indian name ever to feature in the league. Former Indian cricketers like Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan have been part of ILT20 teams in the past but never played a game, while Ambati Rayudu played eight matches for MI Emirates. He is also the only Indian to play matches in ILT20.
The Cricbuzz report also stated that there’s a possibility Ashwin received some “assurances” from a few teams before deciding to enter the auction. A veteran of 65 T20Is for India, Ashwin took 187 wickets in 227 IPL games at an amazing economy of 7.20.
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He played for top IPL teams including Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals.
The report further added that Ashwin is aiming to attain a player-cum-coach role in overseas franchise leagues, and would most likely feature in Major League Cricket (MLC) in the US and The Hundred in England in 2026.