Ravichandran Ashwin breaks silence on ILT20 Auction snub, secures full-season BBL deal
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Ravichandran Ashwin has finally signed a full-season deal with the BBL team Sydney Thunder after going unsold in the ILT20 Trophy. He has clearly stated that at this stage of his career, he will not play if his price is not met.
The ex-India spinner was part of the ILT20 auction; however, he ended up without any potential buyer and is now all set to play a full season in the Big Bash League. As per reports, Ashwin's expectations were not met during the auction of the fourth edition.
I was about to pull out a few days before the auction - Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that he had decided to pull out of the auction because of the Thunder deal; however, since he had committed to the ILT20, he entered the auction, honouring his word.
“I was about to pull out a few days before the auction because of the Thunder deal, but since I had already committed to the ILT20 that I would enter the auction, I honoured my word. However, I did not agree to lowering my base price,” said Ashwin, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
After going unsold yesterday in the ILT20 auction with a base price of $ 120,000, Ashwin removed his name from the remaining rounds.
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) October 2, 2025
“That’s the price I wanted as a bare minimum, and I’m happy not to play at this stage of my career if my value isn’t met,” Ashwin told Cricbuzz. pic.twitter.com/Oy7tcS5JOn
That’s the price I wanted as a bare minimum - R Ashwin
As the auction unfolded, he went unsold in the first round of the auction and then withdrew his name from the remaining rounds. He had registered with a base price of $120,000, the highest among the registered players. Ashwin cited this as the bare minimum needed by his standards.
“That’s the price I wanted as a bare minimum, and I’m happy not to play at this stage of my career if my value isn’t met,” Ravichandran Ashwin told Cricbuzz. Known for his high standards, this might be the minimum he expects.
Ravichandran Ashwin, the 39-year-old legendary spinner, retired from international cricket with 750+ wickets and is the second-highest wicket-taker in the history of Indian cricket. He was also one of the highest wicket-takers in the history of the Indian Premier League.
Ravichandran Ashwin signs a full-season deal in the BBL
Since Ravichandran Ashwin had already committed verbally to the ILT20, Sydney Thunder and the Big Bash League agreed to exempt him. They agreed that he would be joining the Thunder side in the month of January.
“I have signed up with Sydney Thunder for the entire season,” he confirmed. After being snubbed of a contract in the ILT20, Ashwin withdrew from further rounds of the ILT20 and has signed a full-season deal with the Australian franchise.
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