LUCKNOW, INDIA – APRIL 14: Ravichandran Ashwin of Chennai Super Kings bowls prior to the 2025 IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Chennai Super Kings at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on April 14, 2025, in Lucknow, India. (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

Legendary India off-spinner R Ashwin, who went unsold in the ILT20 2025 auction, has opened up about his “high base price” and also revealed his future plans. The 39-year-old spin legend found no takers after being placed in the highest base price bracket at $120,000. “That’s the price I wanted as a bare minimum, and I’m happy not to play at this stage of my career if my value isn’t met,” Ashwin told Cricbuzz. “I was about to pull out a few days before the auction because of the Thunder deal, but since I had already committed to the ILT20 that I would enter the auction, I honoured my word. However, I did not agree to lowering my base price,” he said.The 39-year-old had also revealed that he will not play full season in the Big Bash League (BBL) and will feature in all matches for the Sydney Thunder. The BBL 2025 will be played from December 14 to January 25.“I have signed up with Sydney Thunder for the entire season,” he said.Ashwin is all set to become the first high-profile Indian man to appear in the BBL later this year. “Thunder were crystal clear about how they’d use me and brave enough to back it,” Ashwin said in a statement.

“My conversations with the leadership were excellent, and we’re fully aligned on my role. I love how Dave Warner plays the game, and it’s always better when your leader shares your mindset. I can’t wait to perform for the Thunder Nation.”The Daily Telegraph reported that Ashwin is reportedly “eager to play in next season’s Hundred tournament.”Ashwin is set to turn up for Team India in the Hong Kong Sixes tournament in November.