India’s greatest cricketer, R Ashwin, has gone one step forward in preparation for the first ILT20 auction by putting the highest base price tag for any player of an amazing USD 120,000. The only longlist player to list a six-figure base price indicates how much demand he is expected to generate in the tournament.
Ashwin’s Role in ILT20: A Groundbreaking Move
R Ashwin, at the age of 39, has recently stepped down from both international cricket and the IPL, which leaves in Indian cricket. That ended for R Ashwin with his entrance into the ILT20 auction, adding a new chapter to a celebrated career. If chosen, the ILT20 would be Ashwin’s first experience of an overseas T20 league and a whole new platform to display his skills.
The ILT20 auction will take place in Dubai on October 1, where Ashwin will compete with almost 800 players for a spot in one of the six participating teams. His high base price of USD 120,000 places him in a unique position.
ILT20 Auction Process and Franchise Insights
The longlist includes 24 Indian players, one of whom is Ashwin, as the ILT20’s first auction is around the corner. The wishlist of players is set to be completed this week, after the ILT20 tournament receives the wishlist of players from every franchise. The fourth ILT20 will begin on December 2 up until January 4, and it is when Ashwin will be available for the entirety of the tournament.
Following the ILT20, Ashwin will then play for the Big Bash League (BBL), with four clubs said to have expressed interest in signing him for the second half of the season. This shift to two global leagues represents a significant change in his career, further solidifying his reputation as one of the world’s most experienced and versatile T20 cricketers.
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Important Information regarding ILT20 Auction and Player Roster
The ILT20 auction will follow a round of retentions and franchise-level direct signings in July. The franchises each had a salary purse of a maximum of USD 1.2 million on their signings, with whatever remaining amount went into the auction purse, which is USD 800,000. Teams are allowed to spend a maximum of USD 2 million but need to spend at least USD 1.5 million in the auction.
In addition to the standard auction process, franchises can also spend an extra USD 250,000 to purchase two wildcard players, outside of the bidding process. This represents an opportunity provided for the sake of Pro Kabaddi to further strengthen their roster with additional players who may not have been available through the central auction.
Each ILT20 franchise must consist of 19 to 21 players, with a compulsory quota of international and domestic players. The team composition requires that each team should consist of a minimum of 11 players from Full Member nations, and players from the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and other Associate countries.
RTM Card and Other Auction Rules
The ILT20 auction will also include the right-to-match (RTM) card, which grants a franchise the option to purchase back a UAE player from their development squad or the 2025 squad. The RTM cards, however, can only be applied to UAE players, thereby introducing a strategic element to the auctioning process for ILT20 teams.
What Ashwin’s Entry Means for ILT20
R Ashwin’s entry into the ILT20 auction with the maximum base price shows his potential in the T20 format. With his experience at the international and domestic cricket level, he is the kind of player that any ILT20 team would want to have.
As the auction draws near, everyone will be watching whether R Ashwin’s lofty price reflects a profitable deal and a successful career in the ILT20, one of the world’s newest and most hyped T20 leagues.
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