Ravichandran Ashwin Avoids SA20 Auction as ILT20 Calls

The non-appearance of Ravichandran Ashwin in the list of players for the SA20 2026 auction came as a shock to fans. The seasoned Indian off spinner recently announced retirement from the Indian Premier League and made news about his future in franchise cricket. With so many foreign leagues offering opportunities to retired Indian players it was expected that Ashwin would feature in the South African league. His name, however, was absent and left everyone wondering why this was so.

Initially, there were serious talks of whether the cooling off rule was still in place or not. The Board of Control for Cricket in India had previously floated a proposal in which retired cricketers were required to wait for a year before taking up any overseas franchise league. This was implemented in the case of Ambati Rayudu who had to withdraw from Major League Cricket after declaring retirement from the IPL. That regulation was not popular with players as the majority of them felt that they must be allowed to carry on their career elsewhere after they retire from Indian cricket. Thereafter reports confirmed the rollback of the cooling off policy following backlash. Due to that people presumed that Ashwin was at liberty to join SA20 without any inhibitions.

The actual story was much different. Ashwin has reportedly expressed greater interest in the International League T20 which is more commonly referred to as ILT20. ILT20 is to kick off in January whereas SA20 will be played till December and early January. As the two events clash for almost half of their course of action a player cannot possibly commit to both. Ashwin is supposed to have opted for UAE based ILT20 over the South African competition.

For Ashwin, this decision could have been driven by several reasons. The UAE league has become popular over a short period with top names from various countries being part of its franchises. The exposure and commercial appeal of ILT20 are quite lucrative and it could have been more in line with his plans. Ashwin has also talked of his desire to feature in two or three overseas leagues a year alongside retaining the coaching option. With his sheer experience, a coaching role for a player of his level would be a natural progression when he decides to retire.

Ashwin's announcement follows a dramatic last act of his Indian cricket career. He had already retired from Test cricket while in Australia during the Border Gavaskar Trophy. That was a surprise to many since Ashwin had been such a dominant player in the format for so long. His capacity to read conditions and think ahead of batters made him one of India's all-time match winners. The announcement of his retirement from cricket at the international level following the Brisbane Test made fans emotional as they said goodbye to a modern legend.

After leaving the international platform Ashwin again rejoined the Chennai Super Kings in his final IPL season. The campaign did not take off the way it was supposed to, though. CSK finished at the bottom of the table for the first time ever. Ashwin's personal returns were respectable as well with seven wickets from nine games. Nevertheless his presence at Chepauk felt special because fans knew they were seeing him play yellow for the last time.

Now the veteran is set to concentrate on his future in the world of franchise cricket. By playing for a limited number of leagues annually he can stay fit and make the game a pleasure and not a chore. Ashwin has always been famous for his strategic mind and incisive knowledge of cricket. This makes him perfect material for a coaching position in the future. Actually, there are people who feel that his performance from a dugout will be as effective as his performance out there.

Although fans were waiting to see him at South Africa the ILT20 will probably be the platform where Ashwin will demonstrate his ability next. With the tournament drawing players from Australia England West Indies and Pakistan the competition will be intense. Ashwin's guile as a bowler and his leadership skills can be an asset to whichever franchise acquires his services. His signing into the ILT20 player kitty injects more spice into the tournament and means he is still a name to watch out for even after his IPL departure.

The news also points out how Indian players are finding new avenues once their career with the national side or the IPL comes to an end. For many years BCCI’s restrictions meant retired Indian cricketers could not participate in overseas leagues easily. With policies being relaxed more veterans may look at leagues like SA20 ILT20 MLC or The Hundred as a way to continue playing competitive cricket. Ashwin’s decision therefore is not just about him but could set an example for others who are in the final stages of their careers.

Fans will go on arguing if Ashwin should have chosen SA20 over ILT20 but his decision is a result of careful planning. At this point in his career he would obviously consider leagues that offer the right balance of competition fixture planning and off field. By having coaching in mind Ashwin is also considering the long term. His non-appearance at the SA20 auction could be a letdown for South African cricket fans but it is the beginning of a new chapter for him in the Middle East.

Ravichandran Ashwin has never been a mere bowler. He has been a thinker a problem solver and a cricketer who never hesitated to try new things. Whether it was experimenting with variations or coming out with the open honesty regarding the tactical aspects of the game he was exploring a different personality. The same thinking is evident while planning his post IPL future. Instead of rushing into all leagues he is selecting carefully and matching his choices with his long-term objectives.

As the ILT20 is all set to start in January all will be looking at the auction pool to find out which franchise signs him up. Wherever he ends up the team will not just be getting a talented spinner but also a veteran campaigner with leadership qualities and cricketing acumen. For Ashwin himself this could be the beginning of something new one that marries playing with mentoring and keeps him close to the game he is passionate about.