Ravichandran Ashwin retired from the IPL and, following a distinguished India career with 537 Test wickets, is reportedly aiming for The Hundred.
Ashwin Retires from IPL, Eyes The Hundred in England
After announcing his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Wednesday, former India spinner Ravichandran has already set his sights on his next venture. According to Telegraph Sport, Ashwin is keen to participate in next year’s The Hundred competition in England, potentially becoming the first Indian male player to feature in the event.
Ravichandran, one of the finest spinners in cricket history, returned from international cricket in December last year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia. He ended his illustrious career with 537 Test wickets, ranking seventh-highest in the format. Amid ongoing discussions about his trade from Chennai Super Kings, Ashwin officially concluded his IPL career on Wednesday.
Sharing the news on social media, Ashwin expressed enthusiasm for exploring overseas leagues after ending his BCCI commitments. “Special day and hence a special beginning. They say every ending will have a new start, my time as an IPL cricketer comes to a close today, but my time as an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today. Would like to thank all the franchisees for all the wonderful memories and relationships over the years, and most importantly the IPL and the BCCI for what they have given me until now. Look forward to enjoying and making the most of what’s ahead of me,” he said.
Ashwin Eyes The Hundred After IPL Retirement
With Ashwin no longer a BCCI-contracted player, he is unlikely to face any restrictions in participating. For context, BCCI rules bar India’s male cricketers from joining overseas T20 leagues unless they retire from all levels of Indian cricket. Women cricketers, however, face no such restriction, and several Indian female stars have previously featured in The Hundred.
Next year’s edition of The Hundred will see teams under new identities after a major stake sale earlier this year. With fresh ownership in place, the demand for star players is expected to rise, making Ashwin a highly sought-after prospect. Notably, four of the eight franchises now have links to IPL ownership groups, giving them a likely edge in pursuing Ashwin, though interest is expected from other teams as well.