ILT20 Auction 2025: R Ashwin To Feature In His 1st Auction

The ILT20 Auction 2025 breaks ground as the first-ever player auction in the DP World International League T20 (ILT20) will be held on Wednesday, 1st October. One of the more controversial elements is seeing legendary Indian spinner R Ashwin in the auction of 300 players from more than 20 countries.

R Ashwin to Debut in ILT20 After Retirement

R Ashwin, India’s most decorated cricketer, is going into the ILT20 Auction with a base price of USD 120,000, the highest bracket. This is Ashwin’s first venture into franchise cricket across the globe following his international retirement, and he is thus one of the most awaited selections of the auction.

Ashwin is accompanied by four other Indian players:

Piyush Chawla

Siddarth Kaul

Ankit Rajput

Priyank Panchal

ILT20 Auction Player Price Brackets

Players of the ILT20 Auction 2025 have been classified into four price categories as follows:

USD 120,000: R Ashwin

USD 80,000: Jason Roy (England), Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan), Andre Fletcher (West Indies), Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan), Naseem Shah (Pakistan)

USD 40,000: Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh), James Anderson (England), Andrew Tye (Australia), Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan)

USD 10,000: Temba Bavuma (South Africa), Paul Stirling (Ireland), Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal), and a few Associate and UAE players

Associate & Regional Talent Adds Depth

A few players from Associate Countries such as the USA, Netherlands, Namibia, Scotland, Nepal, Canada, and regional players from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are included in the auction pool. Some of the top names are:

Unmukt Chand (USA)

Logan van Beek (Netherlands)

JJ Smit (Namibia)

Dipendra Singh Airee (Nepal)

Star Players Already Retained or Signed

Several global T20 stars have already been signed or held onto by ILT20 franchises before the auction, promising top competition and quality in ILT20 Season 4. They include:

Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Phil Salt (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders)

Tim Southee, Dinesh Karthik, Tim David (Sharjah Warriorz)

Fazalhaq Farooqi, Romario Shepherd, Muhammad Waseem (MI Emirates)

Moeen Ali, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Gulf Giants)

Wanindu Hasaranga, Shimron Hetmyer (Desert Vipers)

Auction Rules, Squad Requirements, and Purses

Each franchise will enter the ILT20 Auction with a purse of USD 800,000 (plus any unused amount out of the USD 1.2 million that has been earmarked for direct signings).

Franchise Purse Balances:

Dubai Capitals: USD 1,035,000

Gulf Giants: USD 1,035,000

Sharjah Warriorz: USD 1,025,000

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: USD 925,000

Desert Vipers: USD 802,500

MI Emirates: USD 800,000

Squad Composition Requirements:

Minimum 19, Maximum 21 players

Minimum 11 from Full Member countries

4 UAE players (including 1 U-23)

1 player from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia each

2 players from any other ICC Associate country

Every franchise will have to spend between USD 1.5 million and USD 2 million and can sign a maximum of two Wildcard players through the non-auction route for an extra USD 250,000.

ILT20 2025 Playing XI Regulations

Every playing XI of a team must have:

Minimum 2 UAE players

At least 1 Associate nation player (it can be a third UAE player or a Kuwaiti, Saudi Arabian, or other Associate member cricketer)

ILT20 Auction: What to Expect

With a mix of superlative global talent and promising Associate and regional cricketers, the ILT20 Auction 2025 looks to redefine team tactics. The inclusion of R Ashwin in the auction list, along with international superstars such as Shakib Al Hasan, Jason Roy, and Fakhar Zaman, ensures that the bidding duels will be hotly contested.