Ashwin Eyes Player-Cum-Coach Roles in Overseas Leagues After IPL Retirement

Just days after announcing his retirement from international cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ravichandran Ashwin is setting his sights on new horizons. The 38-year-old veteran spinner is now preparing to embark on a fresh chapter in his career, exploring player-cum-coach roles across various overseas franchise leagues.

With nearly two decades of international and franchise cricket behind him, Ashwin remains a prized asset in the global cricketing circuit. Far from hanging up his boots entirely, he’s planning to continue playing while also contributing in a coaching capacity—leveraging his vast experience and deep tactical understanding of the game.

According to sources, Ashwin has outlined a three-to-four-year plan for this new phase and is currently in discussions with several overseas leagues. The Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States is reportedly a near certainty, while The Hundred in England and either the ILT20 in the UAE or SA20 in South Africa are also high on his radar.

However, a move to SA20 may not materialize immediately, with all franchises—each IPL-owned—having largely finalized their rosters ahead of the auction scheduled for September 9. While wild-card signings outside of the auction are possible, they appear limited at this stage.

In contrast, the ILT20 presents a more viable opportunity this year. With five of its six franchises owned by Indian stakeholders, the league is likely to welcome Ashwin with open arms. The ILT20 auction, slated for September 30, allows teams to sign one player outside of the auction and salary cap—potentially paving the way for Ashwin’s entry.

Ashwin’s reputation as one of the most cerebral cricketers of his generation makes him a natural fit for a hybrid player-coach role. His cricketing intelligence, leadership experience, and adaptability across formats have long been praised, and several league officials—reportedly including those from Australia’s Big Bash League—have already expressed interest following his IPL exit.

While Ashwin has yet to confirm any deals publicly, he acknowledged the shift in his focus post-retirement.

“I really want to enjoy my last couple of years hopefully without any judgements from anyone,” he said when contacted. “I wanna live life on my terms.”

Beyond playing and coaching, commentary and even cricket administration are potential future avenues for the Tamil Nadu-born allrounder. In fact, it is believed that some of the innovative ideas that influenced recent IPL retention rules came from Ashwin’s suggestions to the BCCI.

For now, however, the seasoned off-spinner appears intent on extending his cricketing journey globally—on his own terms and timeline. As he prepares for this new adventure, Ashwin continues to evolve, refusing to be bound by traditional retirement trajectories.