Do you remember when the T20 leagues held overseas were an unattainable dream for Indian cricketers? Well, R Ashwin is going right for the screaming banana. With his IPL retirement away from the BCCI’s grip, Ashwin is ready to double-dip in the world of franchise cricket. He’ll be playing with the ILT20 in the UAE and later in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL). For the spectators, it’s like watching a world-class performer switch stages and not even miss a breath. But what does it mean for Ashwin, for the leagues, what does it mean for cricket? Let’s try to unpack it.
The Freedom of Retirement—Ashwin’s New Chapter
When Ashwin disengaged from the IPL earlier in the year, he didn’t just lock one door. He unlocked a safe of global possibilities. Formerly, BCCI contracted players could not participate in foreign leagues; now? Ashwin can take them how he wants, selectively. Submitting his name to the ILT20 auction while answering calls from BBL teams (Sydney Sixers, Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, and Adelaide Strikers), he isn’t wasting any time. It’s not just financial, it’s about showcasing his art will still play well outside India.
The Scheduling Puzzle—Can He Actually Pull It Off?
It sounds thrilling in theory: the ILT20 runs from December 2 to January 4, and the BBL runs on a parallel time frame, December 14 to January 25. That provides just a bit of logistical work (and likely jet lag). Ashwin will most likely start in the UAE, then fly to Australia halfway through, which would be a shortened period of playing. Not ideal as a workload, but let’s face it: if anyone is an expert in spinning two plates, it’s Ashwin. In tactics, he has always been on point, and now he can take that flexibility with franchise cricket scheduling.
What This Means for T20 Leagues—and Fans
Ashwin’s global journey isn’t just about a player’s journey. For the ILT20, adding a name like Ashwin is a feather in their cap, especially since the league is relatively new compared to the BBL. For the Big Bash, it’s a marketing opportunity for a world-class Indian spinner, and for Australia, it would be a first – India features have only happened in overseas leagues, and they are rare here. For the fans, Ashwin gets to bowl on different pitches – the flat and slow pitches of the UAE or the crazy and bouncy pitches in Australia. Just think of all the tactics we will see – Ashwin vs. Big Bash assault group hitters like Chris Lynn, or Ashwin’s strategizing against Andre Russell in Dubai. This is box-office cricket.
R Ashwin is taking part in both the ILT20 and BBL not merely as a gimmick, but as a declaration. It represents a new phase where Indian superstars, previously tethered to the IPL, may begin to fly around the world after retirement. For Ashwin, this is an opportunity to establish a legacy that transcends that of a great Indian spinner into a global T20 artisan. And for the fans? Such delight. So the question becomes: If Ashwin can play in both leagues, why should we not expect more retired Indian superstars to follow suit and make cricket truly a global affair?
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