Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday went unsold in the ILT20 Auction. The all-rounder had set his base price at $120,000, which was the highest in the auction. He would've been the third Indian to play in the UAE-based t20 league this season with Dinesh Karthik set to turn up for Sharjah Warriorz and Piyush Chawla for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Ashwin had been widely expected to be snapped up in the auction, in which three teams were owned by IPL franchises. The ILT20 was one of many T20 leagues around the world that the 39-year-old has made himself available for after retiring from the IPL in August this year. Reports of him set to play in The Hundred next year emerged soon after Ashwin announced his retirement from the IPL. The Daily Telegraph said in a report that it “understands that Ashwin would be eager to play in next season’s Hundred tournament.” He has also been announced as part of the Sydney Thunder squad for the upcoming season of Australia's Big Bash League. This makes Ashwin the first major Indian male cricketer to play in the tournament. “Thunder were crystal clear about how they’d use me and brave enough to back it,” Ashwin said in a statement. “My conversations with the leadership were excellent, and we’re fully aligned on my role. I love how Dave Warner plays the game, and it’s always better when your leader shares your mindset. I can’t wait to perform for the Thunder Nation.” Additionally, Ashwin is set to turn up for Team India in the Hong Kong Sixes tournament in November. Considered among the greatest spinners of all time in red-ball cricket, Ashwin has taken 72 wickets in 65 T20Is for India at 23.22. He has also been prolific in the IPL, taking 187 wickets in 221 matches, representing Chennai Super Kings, Kings XI Punjab, Rising Pune Supergiant, Delhi Capitals, and Rajasthan Royals. Ashwin had won the league in 2010 and 2011. His retirement from the league had come shortly after he ended his Test career during India’s tour of Australia earlier this year.
