Ravichandran Ashwin will spend the entire upcoming Big Bash League season with Sydney Thunder, signing on barely 24 hours after he went unsold in the ILT20 auction in Dubai.
The off-spinner, who called time on his IPL career in August, had originally pencilled in only a late-season cameo of three matches for Thunder. That plan hinged on a deal with ILT20, where he entered the auction at the top reserve price of US $120,000. No franchise bit, his name passing without a bid in Set 5 for all-rounders, and he later asked to be withdrawn from the accelerated round for unsold players.
With the ILT20 door closing, Thunder returned with a straightforward proposal: stay for the whole BBL campaign. Ashwin accepted, making him the first capped India player to commit to a full Big Bash season.
“I had agreed verbally with ILT20 but then the franchise offers were pretty low because the direct signings had been closed by all teams,” Ashwin told ESPNcricinfo. “Meanwhile Thunder came with a good deal, but since I had verbally agreed with ILT20, I entered the auction saying this is the minimum price I want to play for, else I am happy going to the BBL.”
That verbal understanding with ILT20 concerned the 2026 tournament, scheduled from 2 December to 4 January. Once direct-signing slots disappeared in July, Ashwin opted for the maximum base price, effectively setting his own floor. The tactic carried risk; as soon as franchises kept their wallets shut, the 37-year-old’s focus shifted back to Australia.
For Thunder, it is a tidy coup. They secure a seasoned, adaptable finger-spinner able to supervise younger bowlers and, if required, hold a tricky chase together. For Ashwin, it is a clear run of cricket in a league that has long intrigued him, minus the contractual knots that sometimes follow Indian players overseas. A more detailed fixture list and availability timeline is expected from Thunder later this month.
