R Ashwin is no longer torn between Australia and the UAE. Instead of having to pick between the ILT20 and the Big Bash League (BBL), it now appears that there will be two assignments. The seasoned spinner will most likely participate in both, even though he would have had to choose between them due to conflicting schedules at the end of the year.
One of India’s best spinners, Ashwin, has signed up for the ILT20 auction and will probably play in the BBL in Australia as well, according to Cricbuzz. Numerous teams have made offers to him, including Tim Paine’s Adelaide Strikers, Ricky Ponting’s Hobart Hurricanes, and both the Sydney teams (Sixers and Thunder). Naturally, he will have to select one of them.
Ashwin, who declared his IPL retirement in August, is taking full use of his newfound freedom to play in foreign leagues, which is not granted to players who are still competing in Indian competitions run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). After much discussion with the ILT20 organisers, he has finally signed up for the auction on October 1. He has also been in negotiations with a few BBL teams, and it is anticipated that he will formally join one of the four aforementioned teams.
The scheduling of the back-to-back events will be extremely difficult because some of the matches may conflict. The BBL begins on December 14 and ends on January 25, while the ILT20 takes place from December 2 to January 4. Ashwin’s availability this year will be restricted, as he will begin with the ILT20 before travelling to Australia for the BBL.
Since all six teams have finished their direct signings, there was no direct admission into the ILT20 this year. “I signed up to participate in the auction. Ashwin confirmed his participation in the auction, which is taking place for the first time in the UAE league’s four seasons, saying, “Hopefully, one of the six franchises will be interested in bidding for me.”
Regarding the BBL developments, Ashwin remained silent, but there are hints that a decision would be made over the next few days.
Regarding other international leagues, Ashwin is probably going to play in The Hundred in the UK or Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA. Of all, there is still time to finish those tournament procedures.