Hours after Ravi Ashwin announced his farewell from the Indian Premier League (IPL), rumors have emerged in the English media suggesting he could become the first Indian cricketer to participate in The Hundred next season. According to The Daily Telegraph, Ashwin is reportedly keen to play in this tournament. The piece claimed that Ashwin is planning to engage in various leagues globally over the coming years, identifying The Hundred as a key competition.
In a farewell message shared on X, Ashwin expressed a desire to explore new opportunities in cricket. He reflected, “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.”
The Hundred, along with other leagues, has long sought the involvement of prominent Indian players, especially as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had previously restricted active Indian cricketers from participating in foreign T20 leagues. However, following his retirement from all forms of international cricket at the end of last year, as well as the IPL, Ashwin is now free to compete in global tournaments.
Ashwin is expected to be a highly sought-after figure in the auction, especially given that four of the eight franchises in The Hundred-based in Old Trafford, Headingley, the Ageas Bowl, and The Oval-are either partially or fully owned by Indian investors. He has garnered attention not only for his star power but also for his unique abilities as a player. Since 2006, Ashwin has been a consistent presence in the IPL, representing teams such as the Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Rising Pune Giants, Kings XI Punjab, and Rajasthan Royals. Over 221 matches, he has taken 187 wickets while maintaining an impressive economy rate of 7.20 runs per over, making him the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the league’s history.
Beyond mere statistics, Ashwin is known for his innovative approach to bowling. He has developed a range of variations, including the carrom ball, reverse carrom, and leg-break. He once shared his philosophy on T20 bowling, stating, “I basically think that six well-constructed bad balls could be the way to go forward in T20 cricket.”
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/ravi-ashwin-could-join-the-hundred-next-season-english-media-10214589/
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Publish Date: 2025-08-27 17:14:00
