Follow UsRavichandran Ashwin, on August 27 (Wednesday), announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the legendary offspinner made it clear that he isn’t walking away from cricket altogether. Instead, Ashwin plans to explore opportunities in franchise T20 leagues across the globe.
If that happens, he will become the most decorated Indian cricketer ever to feature in overseas leagues. At 38, Ashwin still has the skills, fitness, and tactical nous to compete at the highest level for at least a couple more years.
While Indians like Dinesh Karthik (SA20), Robin Uthappa (ILT20), Ambati Rayudu (ILT20), Yusuf Pathan (ILT20), and Unmukt Chand (BBL, MLC) have featured in various leagues, none of them commanded the stature or current form of Ashwin. Unlike many of his predecessors, the Tamil Nadu veteran remains an active force, having recently played in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025 and IPL 2025.
Here’s a look at three major overseas leagues that could be Ashwin’s next stop.
The ILT20 2025-26 season begins on December 2, while the BBL kicks off on December 14. With the schedules overlapping, Ashwin will likely have to choose between the two. The ILT20 could be the easier move, given its heavy IPL franchise ownership links, but the BBL might be tempted to break new ground by signing Ashwin. Notably, no Indian international has ever featured in the Big Bash, and Ashwin’s trailblazing personality makes him the perfect candidate to change that.
The SA20 2025-26 auction takes place on September 9 in Cape Town, with several Indian names like Ankit Rajpoot, Piyush Chawla, and Siddarth Kaul already in the fray. Ashwin could well join the list. The league begins on December 26, which gives Ashwin the flexibility to participate in the ILT20 or BBL before switching over to South Africa. Teams like Pretoria Capitals, Joburg Super Kings, and Paarl Royals - whose parent franchises have previously employed Ashwin in the IPL - might be super interested in having him.
The 100-ball competition in England is played at a different time of year compared to the other leagues, making it a realistic option for Ashwin. No Indian player has yet featured in The Hundred, and Ashwin could once again be the pioneer. With IPL owners also expanding into The Hundred, the doors may finally open for an Indian star.
* Beyond these leagues, Ashwin could also explore stints in the CPL (Caribbean Premier League), MLC (Major League Cricket), BPL (Bangladesh Premier League), LPL (Lanka Premier League), or Global T20 Canada. Given his pedigree and cricketing intellect, franchises worldwide would line up to have him in their ranks.