R Ashwin walked into Wednesday’s player auction as the only six-figure entrant and, surprisingly, walked straight back out without a deal. The veteran off-spinner – India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker – was passed over in both the main and accelerated rounds in Dubai. That said, a wildcard slot remains open; MI Emirates and Desert Vipers can still add one marquee name each, so the door is not entirely shut.
Desert Vipers were the lone franchise prepared to shop in Pakistan’s aisle – and they did so less than 24 hours after the PCB froze all no-objection certificates for overseas leagues. No official explanation yet, which only added a layer of uncertainty, yet the Vipers still pushed ahead, snapping up Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah for USD 80,000 apiece, plus young batter Hasan Nawaz for USD 40,000.
Vipers continued that left-field theme by banking on Afghanistan pair Qais Ahmad and Faridoon Dawoodzai, while also taking UAE gloveman Vriitya Aravind for a modest USD 10,000 – the very first sale of the day.
The biggest cheque, though, belonged to Andre Fletcher. The West Indies wicketkeeper-batter drew a USD 260,000 bid from MI Emirates, who have now retained him for a fourth straight season. “He’s been central to everything we do at the top of the order,” an Emirates official noted afterwards, underscoring Fletcher’s value.
Local fast bowler Junaid Siddique was another headline earner. Gulf Giants pushed him up to USD 170,000 before Sharjah Warriorz triggered the right-to-match card and reeled him back in. Recent numbers justify the price: third-highest wicket-taker at the Asia Cup, nine dismissals at 6.33.
Elsewhere, off-spinner Akshay Wakhare found a home at Dubai Capitals, while former India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand – now a USA international – was taken by Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
In a pre-auction move, Warriorz confirmed Dinesh Karthik as a replacement for Kusal Mendis. The experienced keeper’s strike rate still hovers around 140 in T20 cricket; Warriorz clearly value that know-how.
Season four of the ILT20 begins 2 December, with Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah sharing 34 matches until 4 January 2026. Six teams, plenty of storylines, and apparently still room for Ashwin if a wildcard call comes.
Squad snapshots (auction signings only; retentions/direct deals in brackets)
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders – spent USD 1.457 m
Signings: Michael Pepper 40k, George Garton 10k, Brandon McMullen 110k, Ibrar Ahmed 22k, Ajay Kumar 10k, Adnan Idrees 10k, Abdul Manan Ali 10k, Mayank Chowdary 10k, Khary Pierre 10k, Shadley van Schalkwyk 10k, Unmukt Chand 40k
(Retained: Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Alex Hales, Sherfane Rutherford, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Phil Salt, Olly Stone)
Desert Vipers – spent USD 1.6175 m
Signings: Vriitya Aravind 10k, Fakhar Zaman 80k, Naseem Shah 80k, Qais Ahmad 40k, Sanjay Pahal 10k, Bilal Tahir 10k, Faisal Khan 10k, Hasan Nawaz 40k, Tom Bruce 80k, Matiullah Khan 10k, Tawanda Muyeye 40k, Faridoon Dawoodzai 10k
(Retained: Dan Lawrence, Max Holden, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Wanindu Hasaranga)
Nothing seismic, no fireworks, just steady bids and a few raised eyebrows – especially when Ashwin’s name drew silence. The auction, like the league itself, is still feeling its way, and the wildcard window may yet provide one final twist.
