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India’s legendary off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, has taken a big leap and has officially broken new ground by signing with Sydney Thunder for the upcoming 2025-26 season of the Big Bash League (BBL). This move makes him the first Indian male cricketer to feature in the BBL. Ashwin’s retirement from international cricket in late 2024, followed by his decision to end his IPL career in 2025, has cleared the way for this historic move.
Ashwin’s Glittering Career
Not many bowlers in modern-day cricket hold career stats like Ashwin’s. Across formats, Ashwin has taken 765 wickets in international cricket, including 537 in Tests, making him India’s second-highest wicket-taker after Anil Kumble, and 11th in world cricket. His test career is decorated with some exceptional match-winning spells across continents.
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ashwin played 221 matches, collecting 187 wickets. His ability to open the bowling and bowl crucial middle overs makes him a vital part of the team, as his bowling is full of variations that strangle the batsmen. Apart from bowling, Ashwin can really make a difference with the bat as well, scoring 833 runs down the order. He was often seen experimenting with his batting position in the IPL.
The BCCI Policy
For decades, BCCI has been following a strict policy restricting the active male cricketers from participating in foreign T20 leagues. This policy aims to protect the IPL’s exclusivity and ensure the availability of Indian players for domestic and international tournaments. However, once the player retires from both international and IPL, these policies and prohibitions do not apply anymore. In this scenario, Ashwin has left both international and IPL, which explains why the Sydney Thunder were able to sign the great Indian spinner.
A Game-Changing Move by Sydney Thunder
The management of Sydney Thunder has mentioned Ashwin’s arrival as a “game changer” for both the franchise and the league as a whole. Trent Copeland- General Manager commented on the same, “I am so proud that Ashwin has chosen Sydney Thunder”, spotlighting not only Ashwin’s bowling skills but the global attention he brings with him to the league.
Well, Ashwin will be missing the opening stages of the league because of his participation in the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE. He is expected to join Thunder in January 2026. His arrival at that stage will be very crucial for the franchise.
Maybe a Start of a New Chapter for Indian Players
Apparently, Ashwin is not the first Indian player to participate in a foreign league. Dinesh Kartik had also joined the Paarl Royals in the SA20 2025 season. This shows how Indian players who have a wider reach and can get attention might go on to a foreign league after their retirement, just as DK and Ashwin did. Ashwin’s performance would be exciting to see as this is a totally new chapter of his life.
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