Andre Fletcher Steals Spotlight In ILT20 Auction, R Ashwin Ignored

The Andre Fletcher ILT20 auction story lit up headlines worldwide. The West Indies power hitter was picked up by MI Emirates for a record USD 260,000. This was the highest price of the night. The moment his name was announced, you could almost feel the tension in the room. When the bidding war ended, applause broke out.

Fletcher, known for his free-flowing strokeplay and raw power, wasn’t expected to beat some of the established stars in the auction pool. Yet as the numbers climbed, it became clear the franchises saw him as a game-changer. That one moment flipped the situation in the bidding hall.

Fletcher’s deal contrasted sharply with the silence that followed R Ashwin’s turn. The veteran spinner, who entered with the highest base price of USD 120,000, went unsold. Not a single paddle went up. The air grew heavy, almost awkward. 

Meanwhile, other names also made waves. England’s Scott Currie came close to topping Fletcher, sealing a USD 250,000 move to Dubai Capitals. Gulf Giants went hard for Liam Dawson at USD 170,000. Naveen-ul-Haq joined Fletcher at MI Emirates for USD 100,000, strengthening a side already packed with big names.

But the real surprise of the night wasn’t who got picked. It was who didn’t. Ashwin’s omission sparked debates about age, adaptability, and the ruthless nature of franchise cricket. Honestly, you could sense how much it stung for his followers.

The auction wasn’t short of drama elsewhere either. UAE’s fast bowlers had a night to remember. Junaid Siddique was retained by Sharjah Warriorz for USD 170,000 through the Right-to-Match card. Muhammad Rohid earned USD 140,000 from MI Emirates, a landmark figure for Emirati cricket. 

Among overseas players, Desert Vipers bagged Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah at the base price. Abu Dhabi Knight Riders went for Brandon McMullen at USD 110,000. And history was written when Faisal Khan became the first Saudi Arabian cricketer picked in ILT20, joining Vipers for USD 10,000. That announcement alone felt like a turning point for cricket in the region.

Gulf Giants were quick to complete their squad, adding Tabraiz Shamsi, Fred Klaassen, and Chris Wood. MI Emirates was built around Fletcher with smart picks like Shakib Al Hasan and Jordan Thompson. Sharjah Warriorz made sure they had bite with Dwaine Pretorius and Nathan Sowter. Each franchise left the room with its own story, but Fletcher’s price tag and Ashwin’s absence remained the headline duo.

To be fair, auctions are never just about names. They’re about timing, balance, and risk. Yet, seeing Ashwin overlooked was a reminder that cricket can be a cruel stage. Few legends get to walk out on their own terms.

Season 4 of the ILT20 begins on December 2, promising 34 matches of high-octane cricket. Fletcher will arrive with pressure on his shoulders, carrying the weight of being the most expensive buy. Ashwin, on the other hand, will be watching from the sidelines, leaving fans to wonder if this was his last shot at the league.

The upcoming tournament feels unpredictable. And that unpredictability is what makes cricket irresistible.