India’s Spin Star R Ashwin Joins Australia’s T20 Cricket League BBL, Makes History
- Staff Writer
- Oct 9
- 2 min read
Sydney Thunder has pulled off one of the biggest coups in Big Bash League history, signing Indian cricket legend Ravichandran Ashwin to play the full 2025-26 BBL season—making him the first capped Indian male cricketer ever to compete in Australia’s top T20 league.
Ashwin, 39, joins the Thunder after a storied international career that saw him claim 537 Test wickets for India and win both the Cricket World Cup (2011) and Champions Trophy (2013).
Thunder management and Cricket Australia are calling the deal “historic” and “the biggest overseas signing since the league’s inception”.
ILT Snub, BBL Gain
Ashwin had initially planned to play for the ILT20 league in the UAE, listing himself at the highest base price of $120,000 USD. Still, when no franchise met his expectations, he withdrew and quickly agreed to full availability for Sydney Thunder’s BBL campaign.
Originally expected to join only after New Year’s, Ashwin is now slated to play every match, giving Thunder a world-class boost in the race to the finals.
Speaking after the signing, Ashwin explained, “Thunder were crystal clear about how they’d use me and brave enough to back it. My conversations with the leadership were excellent, and we’re fully aligned on my role. I love how Dave Warner plays the game... I can’t wait to perform for the Thunder Nation”.
Thunder General Manager Trent Copeland praised Ashwin’s leadership, experience, and ability to mentor younger players—including promising spinners Chris Green and Tanveer Sangha. “Ashwin will bring fresh energy, world-class bowling, and inspire Western Sydney’s growing Indian diaspora,” Copeland said.
R Ashwin Is Fifth-Higesht Wicket Taker
Ashwin’s retirement from IPL in August 2025—where he was the fifth-highest wicket-taker with 187 wickets and a two-time champion with Chennai Super Kings—paved the way for this landmark BBL move.
The Thunder will begin their campaign with a rematch against Hobart Hurricanes on December 16 before Ashwin joins for marquee games, including the Sydney Smash against the Sixers at the SCG.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg called Ashwin’s BBL arrival “a defining moment”—one that will unite fans on both sides of the world and could see Thunder push deep into finals with India’s master spinner leading the charge.
Pakistani Cricket Stars In BBL
The 2025-26 Big Bash League is set to dazzle fans with a star-studded roster of international players alongside R Ashwin. One of the most talked-about pre-season moves is Pakistan’s Babar Azam joining the Sydney Sixers, where he’ll play the entire tournament alongside England’s all-rounder Sam Curran.
Brisbane Heat has bolstered their fast bowling with Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi as their platinum pick and New Zealand’s Colin Munro also returning for another campaign. Melbourne Stars kept their firepower intact by retaining Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf and England’s Tom Curran, while the Melbourne Renegades secured star wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan of Pakistan.
The Adelaide Strikers made strategic signings with England’s Luke Wood and Jamie Overton, and Hobart Hurricanes brought in England’s Chris Jordan and young Bangladesh spinner Rishad Hossain.
Sydney Thunder, alongside Ashwin, have also added Pakistan’s Shadab Khan and New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson to their squad, setting the stage for an exciting BBL season.
Comments