Sydney Thunder sign Ravichandran Ashwin, Big Bash deal, fixtures, squads, video
The Sydney Thunder are set to announce one of the club’s most significant acquisitions in Big Bash League history, with Indian legend Ravichandran Ashwin agreeing to a landmark deal with the men in lime green.
Fox Sports understands that Ashwin has committed to the Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash campaign, becoming the first highest-profile Indian player to feature in the Australian T20 tournament. An official announcement is expected later this week.
As first reported by CODE Sports, the 39-year-old will join the Thunder following the ILT20’s conclusion in early January, playing alongside the likes of David Warner and Sam Konstas. Ashwin, who will go under the hammer at next week’s ILT20 Auction, has committed to the entirety of the United Arab Emirates tournament, which concludes on January 4.
Watch every game of the 2025 Asia Cup exclusively LIVE on Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >
Earlier this month, Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg reached out to Ashwin, who retired from Tests last year, to gauge his interest in a potential stint at the Big Bash.
It comes after the Indian superstar announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League, allowing him to become a franchise cricket free agent and explore opportunities at other T20 leagues. Currently, Indian players are banned from participating in other T20 competitions while still active with the national team or the IPL.
The veteran off-spinner, the IPL’s fifth-leading wicket-taker of all time with 187 scalps at 30.22, would be a massive attraction for Australia’s Indian expat community, influencing ticket sales and boosting television ratings.
Because Ashwin did not register for this year’s BBL overseas player draft, CA will need to grant an exemption for his participation in the tournament, similar to Martin Guptill’s last-minute deal with the Melbourne Renegades in 2022.
Big Bash clubs are allowed to sign more than three overseas players within their salary cap, but only three internationals are permitted in a starting XI. The Thunder secured the services of New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson and Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan during June’s Draft, with English wicketkeeper Sam Billings already committing to the club on a multi-year deal.
Ashwin will join Chris Green, Tom Andrews and Tanveer Sangha in a spin-heavy squad that will wreak havoc on Sydney Showground’s slow deck – spinners maintained a combined economy rate of 6.60 at the venue last season compared to 7.71 for seam bowlers.
Meanwhile, Ashwin could come up against former Pakistan captain Babar Azam and Australian superstar Steve Smith in a mouth-watering Sydney derby against the Sixers at the SCG on January 16.
The first Indian to play in the BBL was Unmukt Chand, who represented the Melbourne Renegades in two matches during the 2021/22 season. However, the former India A representative had already pledged his allegiance to the United States.
The 15th edition of the BBL gets underway on December 14.
