The Big Bash League (BBL) is about to witness a first of its kind. Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s greatest spinners, has agreed to join Sydney Thunder for the upcoming season in what is being billed as one of the most significant signings in the competition’s history. The 39-year-old, who retired from the IPL earlier this year, is now free to ply his trade in overseas leagues, opening the door for this landmark deal. An official announcement from the club is expected later this week.
The veteran off-spinner, who sits fifth on the all-time IPL wicket-takers list with 187 scalps, will link up with the Thunder after completing his commitments in the ILT20, which concludes on January 4.
Ashwin strengthens Sydney Thunders
Ashwin will become the highest-profile Indian cricketer to feature in the BBL, following in the footsteps of Unmukt Chand, who played briefly for the Melbourne Renegades in 2021/22 after shifting allegiance to the United States. For Sydney Thunder, the signing is a major coup. Not only does it strengthen their spin department alongside Chris Green, Tom Andrews, and Tanveer Sangha, but it also promises to attract Australia’s large Indian expat community, boosting ticket sales and TV audiences.
Fascinatingly, the Thunders squad also have a Pakistani all-rounder, Shadab Khan. The leg-spinner, who has played 14 wickets in the tournament, was signed as a draft signing alongside Lockie Ferguson in June this year. It would be interesting to see Ashwin and Shadab share the same dressing room after all the ‘boycott’ trend that has been going on the social media. Suryakumar Yadav was furiously bashed by some people after he shook hands with Pakistan captain Salman Agha and Mohsin Naqvi at the captain’s press conference for the Asia Cup. However, fans should be critical enough to know that it is not in Ashwin’s hands.
Schedule hurdles and Cricket Australia’s special approval
Ashwin’s involvement does come with scheduling challenges. The ILT20 kicks off on December 2 and ends on January 4, while the BBL begins on December 14. This means the off-spinner will only be available for the latter half of the Australian competition.
Still, his arrival is perfectly timed for the Thunder’s push towards the business end of the tournament, including a blockbuster Sydney derby against the Sixers on January 16, where he could face Steve Smith and Babar Azam.
Because Ashwin did not nominate for this year’s BBL overseas player draft, Cricket Australia (CA) will need to grant an exemption, similar to the one afforded to Martin Guptill in 2022. But given the commercial value Ashwin brings, especially as a global draw appeal, approval is considered a formality. On the spin-friendly surface at Sydney Showground, where slow bowlers went at just 6.60 runs per over last season, Ashwin’s guile could prove decisive.
Sydney Thunders Big Bash League squad 2025/26
David Warner (C), Wes Agar, Tom Andrews, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Shadab Khan, Ravichandran Ashwin
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