Ash Anna Goes Unsold in ILT20: Desi Community Can't Keep Calm

The Shocking Snub That Left Cricket Fans Speechless

In a stunning turn of events that sent shockwaves through the cricket community, Ravichandran Ashwin, affectionately known as "Ash Anna" to his legion of fans, went unsold at the inaugural ILT20 auction on October 1, 2025. The 39-year-old spin wizard, who commanded the highest base price of $120,000, failed to attract a single bid, leaving thousands of Indian expatriates in the UAE questioning what went wrong.

Pic: Getty Images

The Auction Drama Unfolds

The drama reached its peak when auctioneer Richard Madley waited nearly two full minutes for any franchise to show interest in the legendary off-spinner. Despite being the only player in the six-figure base price category, none of the six ILT20 teams raised their paddles for Ashwin, creating one of the most shocking moments in recent cricket auction history.

What made matters worse was the revelation that Ashwin may have pulled out of the auction after being ignored in the first round. Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull, commentating live, expressed his disbelief: "We're hearing that he may have pulled out of the auction, which is a massive surprise. I mean, you've got to read the room".

Social Media Erupts: From "Ash Anna" to "LOLchandran Ashwin"

The reaction on social media was swift and merciless. Fans, particularly those in Dubai and across the UAE, took to various platforms to express their shock, disappointment, and in many cases, humor at Ashwin's expense.

Instagram users were particularly vocal, with comments ranging from supportive to brutally honest:

• "Sahi hua" (Serves him right) - expressing that the snub was deserved

• "Overconfident" - calling out Ashwin's perceived arrogance

• "LOLchandran Ashwin" - a play on his name that became viral across platforms

One particularly telling comment read: "Ashwin is a legend player and now age is 39 why he applied to playing cricket and takes insult better than this say good bye to all cricket".

Dubai's Cricket Community Reacts

The Dubai cricket community, which has a significant Indian expatriate population, was particularly vocal about the snub. Many had expected Ashwin to be a marquee signing for one of the UAE-based franchises, especially considering three ILT20 teams are owned by IPL stakeholders.

CricTracker India's Instagram post captured the sentiment perfectly, garnering over 6,400 likes with reactions including:

• "Laga hi tha, age ho gyi hai yaar kitna khel payega" (We saw it coming, he's gotten old, how much can he play?)

• "Thanks to CSK & co. for projecting him as an underperformer"

• "Good in red ball. Expired in white ball long back"

The Financial Reality Check

The numbers told a stark story. While Ashwin remained unsold at his $120,000 base price, several teams still had substantial funds remaining:

• Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Over $500,000 left

• Dubai Capitals: Over $500,000 left

• Gulf Giants: Over $500,000 left

This financial cushion made Ashwin's snub even more surprising, with commentator Owais Shah noting: "He would've easily got that $200,000, if not more. He is worth every penny".

Ashwin's Defiant Response

Breaking his silence on the controversy, Ashwin remained unapologetic about his pricing strategy. "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," he told Cricbuzz.

The veteran spinner revealed he had considered withdrawing from the auction entirely due to his Big Bash League commitment with Sydney Thunder but honored his word to participate. However, he made it clear he wasn't willing to compromise on his valuation.

While the ILT20 door closed, Ashwin's move to the Big Bash League provides some redemption. His signing with Sydney Thunder makes him the first high-profile Indian male cricketer to feature in the Australian league. Following the ILT20 snub, Ashwin committed to playing the entire BBL season rather than just a partial stint.

Expert Analysis: Reading the Room Wrong?

Cricket experts believe Ashwin may have misjudged the market dynamics. Simon Doull's criticism resonated with many fans: "If he pulled himself out, then he just hasn't read the room. I think sides would have gone in for him".

The timing of his withdrawal particularly frustrated supporters, with many feeling he gave up too early in the auction process. As one social media user aptly put it: "You've jumped the bridge too early".

A Reality Check for T20 Legends

Ashwin's snub highlights the harsh realities of modern T20 cricket, where age and recent form often outweigh legacy achievements. Despite his incredible IPL record of 187 wickets in 221 matches and two championship titles with Chennai Super Kings, franchises showed little appetite for his services at the asking price.

The incident also sparked broader discussions about veteran Indian players' expectations in overseas leagues, with some fans calling it a necessary "reality check" for aging stars.

For Dubai's passionate cricket community, Ashwin's ILT20 miss represents more than just an auction failure – it's a moment that crystallized the changing dynamics of T20 cricket. While "Ash Anna" may have lost this particular battle, his legion of supporters in the UAE will be watching closely as he attempts to prove his worth in the Big Bash League.

The memes may have had their day, but cricket fans know better than to write off a champion spinner who has consistently reinvented himself throughout his career. Whether this setback motivates Ashwin to a triumphant return or marks the beginning of the end for his T20 ambitions remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: the Dubai cricket community won't be keeping calm about this controversy anytime soon.