The Sports Desk
Ravichandran Ashwin is ‘all but certain’ to enter the record books as the first India male cricketer to play in Big Bash League. Four teams – Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers are in discussion with the off-spinner at present with Thunder and Hurricanes emerging as front runners. A deal is set to be completed in the coming days.
No Indian capped male player has played in the BBL before. Ravichandran Ashwin himself retired from the IPL earlier this year, allowing him to join the roster of Indian cricketers plying their trade in foreign T20 leagues, where retired players such as Dinesh Karthik, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan and Suresh Raina have all played franchise cricket.
Ashwin has also registered for next week’s inaugural ILT20 auction in the UAE, with that tournament stretching from December 2 to January 4. The BBL starts on December 14 and concludes late in January, meaning Ashwin could be a chance to play three or four games at the end of the season as well as finals. His contract is also set to include the 2026–27 BBL.
The BBL’s structure allows teams to play three overseas players in their XI, but could carry as many as seven on the list, including replacements. Ashwin had not signed up in the overseas draft because his status was still that of an active IPL player back then, and will be available under rules for those whose situations change post the original draft. Cricket Australia and the clubs are also discussing a novel marketing arrangement, to ensure his signing does not create an onerous figure under the salary cap.
Ashwin’s potential entry is also believed to be fantastic for BBL, cricketing and commercial wise. His arrival could bring much-needed star power to the league, and pave way for Indians in overseas T20 leagues.
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