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Indian spin stalwart Ravichandran Ashwin has officially registered for the first-ever International League T20 (ILT20) auction, scheduled for October 1. As per ESPNcricinfo, Ashwin’s base price has been set at USD 120,000 (approx. ₹1.06 crore), making him the costliest name in the 800-player pool. No other cricketer in the auction has been given a six-figure tag.

The veteran off-spinner is one of 24 Indians on the longlist. As with the IPL, the final shortlist will include only those who attract formal bids from one of the six ILT20 franchises. This marks a significant shift for the league, which has moved away from its draft-based model to an open bidding format for the first time.

ILT20 is set to hold its fourth edition from December 2 to January 4. Teams completed their retentions and direct signings in July, each franchise allotted USD 1.2 million for pre-auction picks. Any unspent funds now merge with their USD 800,000 auction budget. Each team must spend at least USD 1.5 million overall and can go up to USD 2 million, with an additional USD 250,000 allowed for two wildcard signings.

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Any franchise choosing Ashwin would likely commit a significant portion of its purse, a testament to the 38-year-old’s stature in world cricket. Known for his tactical acumen, Ashwin retired recently but remains one of the most respected voices in the game. Reports suggest he might also serve in a mentorship or coaching capacity during the tournament.

Following the ILT20, Ashwin is expected to head to Australia for the Big Bash League, where he will become the first capped Indian player to participate.