Former India spinner R Ashwin has created history as he became the first Indian capped player to join a Big Bash League (BBL) club. Sydney Thunder announced his signing on social media for the upcoming BBL 15 season.
Ashwin will join Thunder’s lineup in early January and kindle the club’s push to play in back-to-back BBL Finals.
Ashwin's off-spin took 765 international wickets in 287 games for India, including 537 Test-level wickets, placing him eighth among all-time bowlers in the format. In addition to winning the Champions Trophy (2013) and the Cricket World Cup (2011) with India, he was named the 2011–20 Men’s Test Team of the Decade and the ICC’s Cricketer and Test Cricketer of the Year of 2016.
Ashwin made 221 appearances in the IPL for five different teams. He won two IPL titles with the Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011, and he finished his career as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the IPL with 187 scalps.
He retired from international cricket in 2024 during a tour of Australia and from IPL after the 2025 season.
“Thunder was 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, and it’s always better when your leader shares your mindset. I can’t wait to perform for the Thunder Nation,” Ashwin said in a statement.
“I am so proud that Ashwin has chosen Sydney Thunder. From the first time we spoke, Ashwin impressed everyone at the Thunder with his passion, desire to win, and understanding of what makes our club special. He will bring an injection of fresh energy and world-class bowling mid-tournament, while his presence as a leader and mentor will be invaluable for our young players.
Perhaps most excitingly, Ashwin’s connection with the rapidly growing Indian diaspora in Western Sydney will inspire a new wave of members and fans to join the Thunder Nation. We can’t wait for them to become part of our journey,” Trent Copeland, Sydney Thunder General Manager, said.
Sydney Thunder KFC BBL 15 Squad To Date:
Wes Agar, Tom Andrews, Ravichandran Ashwin (IND), Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (ENG) Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson (NZ), Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Shadab Khan (PAK), Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner.
