R Ashwin will finally feature in the Big Bash League after agreeing a two-season deal with Sydney Thunder, becoming the first India men’s international to sign for the competition. The off-spinner, 38, is expected to play only the last three regular-season matches and any finals this summer because of a prior commitment to the UAE’s ILT20, which clashes with the early rounds of the BBL.
The BCCI’s long-standing policy has kept centrally-contracted India men out of overseas leagues, but Ashwin’s retirement from the IPL earlier this year removed that barrier. He has already entered next week’s ILT20 auction with a top-tier reserve price, and that tournament, running from 2 December to 4 January, will rule him out of the BBL until at least 6 January. Thunder’s final four group games fall on 6, 10, 12 and 16 January, with the play-offs set for 20–25 January.
Four BBL clubs chased Ashwin once Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg opened the door. Thunder secured his signature under the guidance of their general manager Trent Copeland, who joked that the hardest part was “finding space in a bowling group full of spinners and personalities”. The franchise is coached by Trevor Bayliss and captained by David Warner, who steered them to last season’s final.
Thunder’s overseas list is already full: Sam Billings, Lockie Ferguson and Shadab Khan occupy the three playing spots, while squads can carry up to four additional overseas replacements. With local slow bowlers Chris Green, Tanveer Sangha and Tom Andrews also in the ranks, Copeland conceded selection would be “the nice sort of headache every club pretends to hate but secretly enjoys”. Engie Stadium, Thunder’s base in western Sydney, has offered the most assistance to spin in recent BBL seasons.
Ashwin’s expected debut could coincide with a blockbuster Sydney derby against the Sixers, who have secured Steven Smith and Babar Azam. Should his ILT20 side exit early, he might squeeze in an extra fixture, yet Thunder accept that three league games plus finals is the realistic return.
From a marketing perspective, the move is significant. The WBBL has welcomed India stars regularly, but no capped male player has appeared in Australia’s domestic T20 since the league began. Unmukt Chand (USA) and Nikhil Chaudhary (now qualified as a local) are the only Indian-born men to feature.
Warner, who has famously sparred with Ashwin in Test cricket, welcomed the signing in a brief club release: “I’ve enjoyed the contest with him for years. Having him on our side for once will be good fun.” Copeland added that Ashwin’s experience would be “gold dust” for Sangha and the rest of the Thunder’s young attack.
Even with a restricted schedule, Thunder believe Ashwin’s tactical nous—his mastery of the carrom ball, the dipping off-break and an ever-growing bag of tricks—could swing a tight semi-final. In BBL-length spells of four overs, a bowler who concedes under eight an over while picking up two wickets is worth his weight in finals cricket.
There are, naturally, risks. A packed winter of commitments may leave Ashwin short of rest, and his preparation for Australian pitches will be limited. Yet Thunder view the upside as outweighing any concerns about fatigue or acclimatisation. As Copeland put it, “If you can add a 500-Test-wicket bowler for the pointy end, you don’t overthink it.”
Should all the paperwork clear as expected, Ashwin’s first appearance in lime-green could come against Melbourne Stars at the MCG on 6 January—a modest stage for a quietly historic moment.
