Ravi Ashwin Set To Play In Both ILT20 And Big Bash League This Year. Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin has embarked on a new adventure with his exciting upcoming season in both the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE and the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. Despite the conflicting schedules, Ashwin has reportedly made arrangements to play in both tournaments.
Ashwin – Highest Base Price in ILT20
In an interesting twist, Ashwin will have the highest base price of USD 120,000 in the player auction for the ILT20. He is the only player in the entire auction to have a six-figure base price, highlighting his stature and value in the global T20 game. The player auction will be held on September 30 in Dubai, ahead of the upcoming tournament that will run from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
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BBL Clubs Line Up for Ashwin
Meanwhile, the BBL and the franchises are also interested in acquiring Ashwin. The BBL is scheduled to start on December 14, 2025, and is due to commence after the ILT20 tournament. As per reports, Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, and Adelaide Strikers are all looking at Ashwin, who turns 39 before the competitions. Although there is an overlap between the two competitions’ schedules, Ashwin will either play partial tournaments for each league or play in the later stages of the BBL after the ILT20 tournament has concluded.
How Ashwin Might Be Able to Play in Both Leagues
The primary hurdle is the overlapping schedules; the ILT20 season lasts until January 4, and the BBL season runs from December 14 through February. Ashwin will likely have to take one of these paths:
- Partial participation in both—he can play the first half of ILT20 and then the BBL for the mid-season.
- Arriving late to BBL—He would finish ILT20 in early January and join a BBL team for the latter half of the season and playoffs.
- Short-term BBL deal—BBL franchises might sign him for a replacement or short-term deal without committing to a full season.
- Flexible player-coach—Some ILT20 teams are considering him for a possible player-mentor role, which would reduce some of the workload and enable him to experience BBL.
Ashwin’s departure from the IPL and international cricket earlier this year means he wants to extend his cricketing future by playing in international leagues around the world. “I would like to try cricket in different parts of the world.” He recently shared, while expressing a desire to play in unfamiliar and crucial roles.
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If confirmed, Ashwin would become one of the few Indian cricketers to represent two different T20 leagues around the world at the same time. His value will not only be to play and contribute to the team on the field but also to help attract or create a fan base, giving value to the leagues themselves.
