Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to start his Big Bash League (BBL) with Sydney Thunder in the upcoming tournament. After his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, Ashwin is close to finalizing a deal with Thunder, with an official announcement later this week.
Indian cricketers have been absent from the Foreign T20 League due to restrictions from BCCI. Players from England, Pakistan, New Zealand and West Indies are depicted in the tournament like Big Bash. Ashwin is set to become the first Indian with international experience to compete in BBL.
Ravichandran Ashwin set to join Sydney Thunder for BBL 2025-26
Ravichandran Ashwin is allegedly set to join the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League. The Indian off-spinner thunder will be included in the squad, which includes David Warner and Rising Batter Sam Constas. He will strengthen the spin bowling department.
According to a report by Code Sports, Ashwin will join the franchise in early January after completing his LT20 commitments in UAE, where he is also registered for auction. Ashwin will play the entire tournament in the United Arab Emirates, which ends on 4 January.
According to a Fox Sports report, the franchise is ready to make an official announcement later this week. In particular, Ashwin will join the Big Bash League for the last three to four BBL Games and the final, if his team is eligible.
Ravichandran Ashwin to join BBL after special discounts from Cricket Australia
Ravichandran Ashwin’s participation in the Big Bash League would require a special discount from Cricket Australia, as he did not register for this year’s foreign player draft.
Earlier this month, CA Chief Executive Officer Todd Greenberg approached Ashwin, who retired from the Test last year to reduce his interest in joining the tournament.
Ashwin recently announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League. He became eligible to play in other T20 leagues, as this option is not available to active Indian national or IPL players.
Ashwin has taken 187 wickets in 221 IPL matches with an average of 30.22 and 7.2 economy with the best bowling figures of 4/34. He is taking the fifth highest wicket in the tournament. Overall, he has taken 317 wickets in 333 T20 matches an average of 26.94 and 317 wickets at 7.11.
Ravichandran Ashwin to join Shadb Khan, Tom Andrews and Tanveer Sangh
Sydney Thunder has assembled a spin-ivory squad for the upcoming Big Bash League, including Ravichandran Ashwin, Chris Green, Tom Andrews and Tanveer Sangh. Spinners can play an important role on a slow deck in Sydney, where he maintained a 6.60 economy rate in the previous season.
The franchise had already secured New Zealand’s Pacer Locky Ferguson, Pakistan all -rounder Shadab Khan and English wicketkeeper Sam Billings.
While UNMUKT was the first Indian to feature in Chand BBL, Ashwin will be the first capped Indian player to participate in the Melbourne Renegade in 2021/22, Ashwin will participate in the tournament.
The 15th edition of the Big Bash League is scheduled to begin on 14 December. Teams are allowed to sign several foreign players within their salary cap, but only three international early XI can play.
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