Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to create history by becoming the first Indian cricketer to take part in the Big Bash League. Initially scheduled to play just 3-4 matches in the upcoming edition of the tournament, the former Indian spinner decided to play the entire season after going unsold in the first round of the ILT20 auction. Now, a report has claimed that the prospect of Aswin training in western Sydney has been flagged as a potential security risk.
Will Ashwin’s safety be compromised while playing in BBL?
As per Sydney Morning Herald, Ashwin training at the New South Wales’ facility at the Sydney Olympic Park is being viewed as a risk as Indian fans could mob the spinner. The report states that the Sydney Thunders have sought answers from Cricket Australia as to what measures need to be taken in order to protect the star who enjoys a huge fan following.
“The prospect of the veteran spinner training and playing in western Sydney has been flagged as a potential safety risk. The open nature of Cricket NSW’s facilities at Sydney Olympic Park means Indian fans could mob Ashwin at training. The Thunder have spoken to Cricket Australia to understand what measures need to be in place for an athlete who is hugely popular among Indian fans in Sydney,” the report stated.
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.
“I have signed up with Sydney Thunder for the entire season,” Ashwin hada said. Since he had already verbally committed to ILT20, Thunder and BBL agreed to give him an exemption. But the price had to be higher.
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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