Former CSK bowling allrounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, who stayed in the limelight in his international career for 14 years, has made up his mind to begin a new phase of life. Ashwin’s sudden call for retirement came on August 27 (Wednesday), leaving the fans and experts to weigh in on multiple overseas league options.
In a recent interview, the 38-year-old cricketer did not share any official announcement. He expressed his desire to derive pleasure in the remaining days without feeling overburdened by noise stemming from anywhere. Ashwin clearly mentioned in his short statement that he is the creator of his own life.
There is no doubt that Ashwin has plenty of options to continue his game on the field. Talking about outside the field, Ashwin is also a good fit for the role of a commentator for his depth of cricketing skills and opinions. He is a perfect choice for administration as well, after his contribution in voicing the renewal of the rules for IPL retention, as it was a favour for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Player-cum-Coach Role
With no boundary of contract with the BCCI, Ashwin is free to free to explore emerging global leagues. As his 16 years in IPL were devoted to five IPL teams, it seems true that he will be open to participating in mouth-watering T20 contests. According to a report, he is also ready to consider a broader picture, weaving his next five years with a mindset to transition into coaching after playing cricket for franchises showing interest in acquiring him.
SA20 League- South Africa’s Premier T20 Cricket League
It is undeniable to say that Ashwin has more cricket left in him even after retirement from IPL and international cricket. He might be the second Indian after Dinesh Karthik who has made himself available for SA20, playing for the Paarl Royals. However, the possibilities for him to feature in SA20 cease to exist for the upcoming Season 4. But it is favourable for Ashwin that all SA20 franchise owners have roots connected to the IPL. Although they have fixed their preferences for the auction scheduled for September 9, they may consider him as a wild card entry or exceptional inclusion at the last moment.
Other Global Cricket Leagues
Besides the popular South Africa-based SA20 league, Ashwin will eye on Major League Cricket (MLC) with the backdrop of the USA, the ILT20, which is played in the UAE and The Hundred, which is hosted in England. In 2025, the ILT20 is a logical choice as five Indians are franchise owners who will be more than happy to welcome Ashwin. The auction for the ILT20 is scheduled for September 30, and the franchises are free to select one participant beyond the auction and salary cap. Apart from these leagues, the Big Bash League in Australia is also a viable option for Ashwin.
Age is also not a restriction for Ashwin, as his CSK teammate MS Dhoni is 44, but he is still active in cricket with endless enthusiasm to get back to the field. The bowling all-rounder is set to carve a path that seems fit for him with a variety of options to choose from. Ashwin’s cricketing knowledge and prowess are highly appreciated.
