Ravichandran Ashwin is set to become the first high-profile Indian men’s cricketer to participate in the Big Bash League (BBL), with four clubs vying for his services for the latter stages of the season, ESPNCricinfo reported.
According to the report, Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, and Adelaide Strikers are the four teams interested in Ashwin's signature.
Thunder and Hurricanes are reportedly the leading contenders to rope in the legendry off-spinner, with a deal potentially being finalised soon.
The 2025-26 Big Bash League (BBL) season is slated to get underway on December 14, 2025, and the competition will run till January 25, 2026.
The deal could be a game-changer for the BBL. Ashwin is one of the most popular cricketers in India and will generate guaranteed eyeballs from the sub-continent, which is the biggest market for the sport that every non-IPL league competes for.
No capped Indian male cricketer has played in the BBL before his retirement from India's national team. Ashwin’s participation might encourage more retired Indian cricketers to make the move.
Only retired Indian players are allowed by the BCCI to take part in overseas T20 leagues. Earlier, several Indian cricketers have featured in foreign T20 leagues after retiring from international cricket, including Dinesh Karthik, who played for Paarl Royals in the SA20, Ambati Rayudu, who featured for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the CPL, and Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan, who played for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20.
Two years ago, Suresh Raina was part of the Deccan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10. Ashwin has already committed to the first-ever ILT20 auction in the UAE.
It is pertinent to mention here that BBL clubs are allowed to feature three overseas players in their XI, having already secured three spots through pre-signing rules and the June overseas draft. However, they can sign up to four additional overseas replacement players, bringing their total list to seven, with the flexibility to swap them in and out as needed.
If a team releases an international player, Ashwin could potentially fill the spot as a replacement player.
