Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is all set to turn out for Sydney Thunder in the upcoming Big Bash League, becoming the first high-profile Indian cricketer to feature in the tournament.
The 39-year-old, who just announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League and international cricket, “is understood to have committed to the Thunder,” according to ‘Fox Sports’.
Later this week, the franchise is anticipated to make a formal statement.
Ashwin has also thrown his hat into the ILT20 auction, and once it concludes on January 4, he is expected to link up with Sydney Thunder for the latter half of the Big Bash season, which runs from December 14 to January 18.
Earlier this month, Todd Greenberg, the CEO of Cricket Australia, personally contacted Ashwin to inquire about the possibility of him playing in the BBL.
Following Ashwin’s announcement last month that he was retiring from the IPL, he became a free agent in franchise cricket and opened the door to international T20 leagues.
Active Indian players are prohibited by the BCCI from participating in international leagues, while still playing for the Indian national team or the IPL.
Cricket Australia will have to give Ashwin an exception because he did not register for this year’s BBL overseas draft, just like the late approval that allowed Martin Guptill to join the Melbourne Renegades in 2022.
During India’s December 2018 tour of Australia, Ashwin announced the end of his international career.
With 537 wickets during a stellar career, he is India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, trailing only Anil Kumble’s 619.
In the IPL, Ashwin has played 221 matches, taking 187 wickets at an average of 30.22 with best figures of 4/34. With the bat, he has 833 runs to his name, including a top score of 50.
