Ashwin calls for more Indian players in The Hundred

Ravichandran Ashwin has added his voice to growing calls for greater Indian representation in The Hundred, England's popular city-based franchise tournament, saying more Indian players should be allowed to participate in the competition. Ashwin's remarks reflect a wider conversation in cricket about the BCCI's policy on allowing Indian players to feature in overseas T20 leagues.

The Hundred has established itself as one of the most watched and commercially successful franchise tournaments in world cricket since its launch. While players from across the globe feature prominently, Indian cricketers — with the exception of those released by the BCCI — have largely been absent, a situation that Ashwin appears to believe should change.

Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket after a decorated career spanning multiple formats, is now freer to speak his mind on cricketing policy matters. His comments are likely to reignite debate about whether the BCCI's restrictions on Indian players in overseas leagues remain appropriate in the current global cricket economy.

With the IPL's dominant position in the franchise cricket world secure, there is a growing argument that allowing Indian stars to participate in select overseas tournaments could benefit both the players and the global profile of Indian cricket, rather than pose any threat to the board's commercial interests.