ILT20 | Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has no takers in inaugural player auction

‌Ravichandran Ashwin’s chances of playing in the fourth edition of the International League T20 look slim after he went unsold at the inaugural player auction in Dubai on Wednesday. The former Indian off-spinner had entered the fray last week with the highest base price of USD 120,000.

With the franchises not showing interest in the spin bowling all-rounder, even during the accelerated bidding process, he can now make it to the league only through the wildcard route. Two of the six franchises, MI Emirates and Desert Vipers, are yet to complete their wildcard signings for the fourth season of ILT20, set to start on December 2.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Andre Fletcher got the highest bid of USD 260000 from the Emirates. He had a good run in the recently concluded franchise leagues in the USA and the Caribbean.

Fletcher notched up 289 runs from seven matches, including two centuries, in his first Major League Cricket season with the Los Angeles Knight Riders, averaging 41.28 and striking at 158.79. In the Caribbean Premier League also, the former West Indies player accumulated 310 runs in 10 games at an average of 31.00 and a strike rate of 129.16.

From among Indian players, former Ranji Trophy winner Akshay Wakhare was signed by Dubai Capitals, with Dinesh Karthik going to Sharjah Warriorz as a replacement player ahead of the auctions. Former India U19 captain Unmukt Chand, who has moved to USA, was signed by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.