R Ashwin is now free to pursue new endeavors after declaring his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and all international cricket competitions. Given his extensive background in both franchise and international cricket, it now appears quite likely that he will broaden his horizons and look into chances in foreign leagues. It has been reported that he is willing to try out two different roles, including coaching and playing.
Ashwin is far from finished and has much more to give. Given that MS Dhoni is six years older and still going strong, he is just over his prime at 38. With a three- to four-year timeframe in mind, Ashwin now seems to be readjusting his career and looking for opportunities outside of his comfort zone. At least three international franchise leagues are on his radar: Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States is a lock, The Hundred in England is a serious contender, and the ILT20 in the United Arab Emirates or the SA20 in South Africa will probably round out the list.
Since all of the teams, who are all IPL owners, appear to have locked in their signings, SA20 might not be feasible this year. The SA20 auction registry has also been completed, as previously reported by Cricbuzz. Actually, the season 4 SA20 sale is scheduled for September 9—less than two weeks away. The wild card signings appear to be finalized, but a direct signing outside of the auction and salary cap is still possible.
This year, the ILT20 could be a target. Since Indians own five of the six franchises, they should all be more than delighted to give Ashwin the benefit of the doubt if it is possible. Teams are permitted to sign one player outside of the salary cap and auction at the ILT20 auction, which takes place on September 30.
It remains to be seen how things work out, but after he declared his IPL retirement on Wednesday (August 27), it is thought that officials from every league, including the Big Bash League in Australia, contacted him. Given his abilities and cricket knowledge, a player-turned-coach position seems like a perfect fit for him. He has been recognized as one of cricket’s most intelligent players throughout his career.
Ashwin seems to have plenty of possibilities after retirement. One possibility is commentary, but his aptitude for cricket also makes him a possible contender for administration; in fact, it is said that some of the innovative ideas for the most recent IPL retention regulations originated from his contributions to the BCCI. But for the time being, he is still fully focused on playing for as long as possible.
When contacted, Ashwin simply stated, “I really want to enjoy my last couple of years, hopefully without any judgments from anyone,” without providing any details about his plans. I want to live my life as I see fit.
