Experienced Indian bowler R Ashwin remained unsold in the first ILT20 Auction 2025, conducted in Dubai. Ashwin was the sole participant with a six-figure base price, but did not receive any bids in the main auction.
He did not turn up in the fast-track phase as well, but still has a chance to play in the tournament through a wildcard entry. MI Emirates and Desert Vipers both have available wildcard spots yet to be utilised.
ILT20 Auction Experiences Low Interest in Pakistani Players Despite PCB Ban
The ILT20 Auction 2025 experienced a dramatic shift a day after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) banned all No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for Pakistani players to be part of overseas leagues. Despite the ban, Desert Vipers was the only franchise that bid on Pakistani players.
Pakistan Players Purchased by Desert Vipers:
Fakhar Zaman – USD 80,000
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Naseem Shah – USD 80,000
Hasan Nawaz – USD 40,000
The PCB has not given any official explanation for suspending the NOC, but it left many in the dark regarding player availability.
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Andre Fletcher Tops Bids as ILT20 Auction’s Most Costly Acquisition
West Indies wicket-keeper batter Andre Fletcher was the priciest acquisition of the ILT20 Auction, going for USD 260,000. He was retained by MI Emirates for a fourth season in a row, beating other competing franchises.
UAE Talent in Sight: Junaid Siddique Triggers Bidding War
Pakistan-born UAE fast bowler Junaid Siddique attracted huge interest following an exceptional outing in the Asia Cup in which he picked 9 wickets from 3 games. The Gulf Giants raised the bidding to USD 170,000, but the Sharjah Warriorz utilized their Right-to-Match (RTM) to re-purchase him.
Other UAE Signings of Note:
Vriitya Aravind – USD 10,000 to Desert Vipers
Muhammad Farooq – USD 10,000 to Dubai Capitals
Former India Stars Encounter Mixed Fortunes
Unmukt Chand, former captain of the India U-19 World Cup, who is now a resident of the USA, was drafted by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders for USD 40,000.
Akshay Wakhare, an experienced domestic Indian cricketer, was signed by Dubai Capitals for USD 10,000.
Dinesh Karthik signed with Sharjah Warriorz a day prior to the auction as a replacement for Kusal Mendis.
ILT20 Auction Team Summary – Team-by-Team Breakdown
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders (Total Spent: USD 1,457,000)
Major Signings:
Brandon McMullen (USD 110,000)
Unmukt Chand (USD 40,000)
Major Retentions:
Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone
Desert Vipers (Total Spent: USD 1,617,500)
Major Signings:
Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah (USD 80,000 each)
Tom Bruce (USD 80,000)
Major Retentions:
Sam Curran, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lockie Ferguson
Dubai Capitals (Total Spent: USD 1,475,000)
Major Signings:
Scott Currie (USD 250,000)
Mohammad Nabi (USD 80,000)
Major Retentions:
Jimmy Neesham, Rovman Powell, Waqar Salamkheil
Gulf Giants (Total Spent: USD 1,471,000)
Top Signings:
Liam Dawson (USD 170,000)
Fred Klaassen, Tabraiz Shamsi (USD 40,000 each)
Key Retentions:
Moeen Ali, James Vince, Rahmanullah Gurbaz
MI Emirates (Total Spent: USD 1,868,000)
Top Signings:
Andre Fletcher (USD 260,000)
Muhammad Rohid (USD 140,000)
Naveen-ul-Haq (USD 100,000)
Key Retentions:
Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Romario Shepherd
Sharjah Warriorz (Total Spent: USD 1,664,000)
Top Signings:
Junaid Siddique (USD 170,000)
Dwaine Pretorius (USD 120,000)
Jayden Seales, Taskin Ahmed (USD 80,000 each)
Key Retentions:
Dinesh Karthik, Sikandar Raza, Tim David
ILT20 Auction Takeaways
- R Ashwin goes unsold, his T20 franchise career in doubt.
- Andre Fletcher paces the bidding with USD 260,000 contract.
- Pakistan players restricted to a single franchise due to NOC ban.
- UAE players take center stage, indicating a move towards domestic talent.
- Teams have wildcard spots left, R Ashwin might come back as a wildcard selection.
