Legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is exploring opportunities to play in overseas leagues following his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL). His next destination could be the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE, with the 2026 season likely to mark his debut in the tournament..
Ashwin has registered for the upcoming ILT20 2026 auction and is reportedly in advanced talks with league officials.. In an exclusive interview with The Times of India, ILT20 CEO David White confirmed the development and shared exciting details about a possible player-cum-coach role for the veteran spinner.
“We’re having very positive conversations with Ashwin, and hopefully we’ll have positive news in the near future,” White said. “If we can have a player of his stature, it would be huge.”
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White Hails Ashwin’s Legacy, Open to Player-Coach and Strategic Role
White praised Ashwin’s illustrious international career and highlighted his potential off-field contributions.
“He is a world-class, generational talent. Over 500 Test wickets, a brilliant white-ball career, and what a cricket brain. He’s a charismatic figure and an intellect of the game. If he joins ILT20, we’ll be absolutely delighted.”
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Ashwin Could Take On Coaching, Strategy Role
Ashwin’s involvement may extend beyond playing, with discussions also focused on coaching and strategic roles. White expressed enthusiasm about Ashwin’s multi-faceted capabilities, including his analytical acumen and media expertise.
“We’re very open to anything like that not only his playing and coaching, but also his analytical skills. He owns his own media company and is a very astute individual. We would welcome all aspects,” White added.
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In addition to ILT20, Ashwin is also in preliminary discussions with the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, potentially becoming the first Indian cricketer to feature in the competition. However, no formal developments have been confirmed as of now.
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