Did Ravi Ashwin pull out of the ILT20 Auction after going unsold in the first round?

In an interesting turn of events, the former Indian spinner and analyst Ravi Ashwin decided to pull out of the ILT20 2026 Auction after going unsold in the first round. Surprisingly, Ashwin had kept USD 120,000, the highest base price bracket.

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On the other hand, his former Team India colleagues Dinesh Karthik and Piyush Chawla were picked by Sharjah Warriorz and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, respectively. Former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Simon Doull has slammed the former all-rounder for not reading the room and pulling out at the last minute. 

While speaking on the commentary, Doull also asserted that Ashwin failed to understand the dynamics of the Auction as several teams were waiting to pick the off-spinner for his services in the forthcoming season.

“We’re hearing that he may have pulled out of the auction, which is a massive surprise. I mean, you’ve got to read the room,” Doull said on commentary.

“You’ve got to understand what’s going on out there and all that money left, when there are 3-4 teams with over $400,000 left in their pot. I don’t think they came here not wanting to spend money—it’s there to be spent. If he pulled himself out, then he just hasn’t read the room. I think sides would have gone in for him,” he added.

It’s important to note that since Ashwin’s retirement from the IPL and Indian cricket, he was highly sought after and expected to be a part of the ILT20 2026 season. Moreover, he was reportedly eager to play in The Hundred 2026 tournament as well, as reported by The Daily Telegraph.

Furthermore, Ashwin emerged as the first Indian male cricketer to be a part of the Big Bash League 2025-26 season after being roped in by Sydney Thunder. Also, he will represent Team India in the Hong Kong Sixes tournament in November 2025.

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