The inaugural ILT20 2025 auction in Dubai delivered several surprises, but none bigger than the absence of a buyer for veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Entering the auction with the highest base price of $120,000, Ashwin was expected to attract attention from multiple franchises. However, he went unsold in the first round and subsequently pulled his name from later bidding rounds – a decision that stunned cricket analysts and fans.

Simon Doull questions R. Ashwin’s strategy at the IPL auction

Commentator and auction expert Simon Doull was among the first to react to the development, calling Ashwin’s withdrawal a “massive surprise.” Doull argued that while teams passed over Ashwin initially, several franchises still had large sums left in their purses and could have revisited him in the later stages.

“We’re hearing that he may have pulled out of the auction, which is a massive surprise. I mean, you’ve got to read the room,” Doull said during the live broadcast.

“You’ve got to understand what’s going on out there and all that money left, when there are 3-4 teams with over $400,000 left in their pot. I don’t think they came here not wanting to spend money – it’s there to be spent. If he pulled himself out, then he just hasn’t read the room. I think sides would have gone in for him,” he added.

Why Ashwin went unsold in the inaugural ILT20 auction?

One of the primary reasons behind Ashwin’s unsold status was the clash of the ILT20 calendar with Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL). Scheduled during December-January, both tournaments overlap, and Ashwin had already committed to a full-season stint with Sydney Thunder in the BBL.

As the first high-profile Indian male cricketer to play in the BBL, Ashwin’s priority appeared clear. However, for ILT20 franchises, his limited or split availability made a $120,000 investment appear risky. Teams sought full-season players who could contribute across all fixtures, reducing the appetite for part-time commitments.

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Experts also pointed to Ashwin’s steep reserve price as a deterrent. While his reputation as one of India’s greatest match-winners remains unquestioned, doubts lingered over his recent T20 form and adaptability to UAE conditions. Teams already targeting proven T20 specialists such as Andre Russell, Wanindu Hasaranga and Sam Curran may have felt Ashwin’s skill set did not justify the cost, particularly given his workload management and scheduling conflicts.

Auction watchers noted that as the bidding progressed, several franchises still had large sums unspent. According to Simon Doull, this was the stage where Ashwin might have attracted interest had he stayed in the pool. By voluntarily withdrawing after the first round, he effectively reduced his chances to zero.

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