Ravichandran Ashwin announced his retirement from all forms of the game last week, which included the Indian Premier League as well. The veteran off-spinner finished his IPL career at Chennai Super Kings, the franchise where he had started his career back in 2009. Ashwin had expressed his interest in navigating foreign T20 leagues, something that he wasn't eligible for until he quit all forms of the game in India. With the IPL career done and dusted, Ashwin has started to make his move for a foreign T20 league.
R Ashwin in discussions with IL T20 organisers, may register for the September 30 auction. @cricbuzz @ashwinravi99 @ILT20Official https://t.co/WG7pphzBl8
— Vijay Tagore (@vijaymirror) August 31, 2025
As per reports from Cricbuzz, Ashwin is in talks with the International League T20 (ILT20) based in the UAE. The discussions are still at their nascent stage. The first step would be for the former Indian international to register himself, the deadline of which is September 10. Ashwin confirmed the development and also added that he is optimistic about having a stint in the UAE.
"Yes, I am in talks with the (ILT20) organisers," said Ashwin in a chat with Cricbuzz.
"Hopefully, I will have a buyer if I register for the auction"
While the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan have already made it to the ILT20, Ashwin will arguably be the biggest brand from India to enter the league. Also, Ashwin is unlikely to feature as a player alone. He has already expressed his interest to do the dual role of player-coach in overseas T20 leagues and if he does make it to any team, expect the 38-year-old to don both hats. While his participation in The Hundred and Major League Cricket are a certainty in 2026, ILT20 will be Ashwin's first step towards an overseas T20 League.
