Ravichandran Ashwin set for double stint in ILT20 and BBL

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Indian cricket fans are about to witness a rare sight — Ravichandran Ashwin donning jerseys outside the IPL fold and featuring in overseas franchise cricket. The veteran off-spinner, who retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year, is now set to embrace a busy international league schedule with stints in both the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE and Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

Ashwin’s decision to step away from the IPL in August opened new doors that were previously unavailable to him under the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) regulations. As per policy, Indian players active in the IPL are not permitted to participate in foreign leagues. However, with his IPL chapter closed, Ashwin has quickly turned his focus towards exploring international franchise opportunities.

According to a report in cricbuzz, the 37-year-old confirmed his registration for the ILT20 auction scheduled for October 1. This will be the first time in four seasons that the UAE-based competition is holding an open auction, as all six franchises have already exhausted their direct signings.

While Ashwin has reportedly confirmed his ILT20 involvement, developments in Australia are moving swiftly behind the scenes. The off-spinner has received interest from multiple BBL franchises, including Sydney Sixers, Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, and Adelaide Strikers. A final decision on which team he will represent is expected soon, with negotiations already advanced.

The BBL, however, presents a scheduling puzzle. The league runs from December 14 to January 25, overlapping with the ILT20, which spans from December 2 to January 4. To manage this, Ashwin is likely to begin his commitments in the UAE before heading to Australia for the latter part of the BBL season.

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Balancing both tournaments will test Ashwin’s planning and endurance. While the UAE stint will allow him to get into competitive rhythm, his availability in the BBL is expected to be partial this year due to overlapping fixtures. Nevertheless, the experience of playing in both leagues will add a new dimension to his already illustrious career.

What makes this development particularly significant is Ashwin’s adaptability. Having already proven himself in Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and the IPL, the offie now has an opportunity to showcase his tactical intelligence and skill set across two premier T20 leagues, both known for different playing conditions and audiences.

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