Ashwin joins Shadab at Sydney Thunder in landmark BBL signing

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has signed a two-season deal with Sydney Thunder, becoming the first capped Indian men’s cricketer to play in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

While several Indian women have featured in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regulations have long barred contracted Indian men from joining overseas competitions. Previous exceptions included Unmukt Chand, who switched allegiance to the United States, and Nikhil Chaudhary, who recently qualified as a local player in Australia.

Ashwin’s retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year cleared the path for international opportunities. He has also placed himself in the upcoming International League T20 (ILT20) auction, where he holds the highest base price. His ILT20 commitments from 2 December to 4 January mean he will miss the opening weeks of the BBL, which begins on 14 December.

Cricket Australia and multiple franchises, including Sydney Sixers, Hobart Hurricanes, and Adelaide Strikers, held discussions with Ashwin before he finalised terms with Sydney Thunder. The deal was confirmed by Thunder’s general manager Trent Copeland after talks with CA executives.

Thunder, coached by Trevor Bayliss and captained by David Warner, reached last season’s final. Ashwin is set to bolster a spin-friendly squad that already includes Shadab Khan, Chris Green, Tanveer Sangha, and Tom Andrews.

Although he did not enter the BBL overseas draft, league rules allow exemptions for players whose circumstances have changed, similar to Martin Guptill’s signing with Melbourne Renegades after his New Zealand retirement.

Ashwin’s contract makes him Thunder’s 17th player, with squads capped at 18. He is expected to receive a lucrative per-match fee under the salary cap, while a separate marketing agreement with Cricket Australia sits outside the limit. Should his ILT20 side exit early, he could be available for Thunder’s final fixtures in January, including a potential derby against Sydney Sixers stars Steven Smith and Babar Azam.