Cricket fans around the world were surprised when Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s greatest cricketers, announced he would play for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL).
This is a huge moment because Ashwin is the first capped Indian player to ever join the BBL. The move happened after Ashwin retired from international cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), opening the door for him to explore cricket leagues around the world.
This signing has created excitement across the cricket world and marks a new chapter in both Ashwin’s career and the BBL’s history.
How Ashwin Got Selected for Sydney Thunder
Ashwin’s journey to the Sydney Thunder was different from most BBL signings. He did not participate in the BBL overseas player draft that happened earlier in the year because he was still playing in the IPL at that time. After retiring from the IPL in August, his situation changed completely.
The BBL has special rules that allow players to join teams even after the draft if their circumstances change significantly. The league’s technical committee reviewed Ashwin’s case and agreed that his retirement from both international cricket and the IPL was a “material change” to his availability. This meant Thunder could sign him as a replacement player, even though he wasn’t in the original draft pool.
Thunder’s management moved quickly to secure Ashwin’s signature. General manager Trent Copeland had excellent conversations with the champion spinner about how the team would use him. Ashwin was impressed by Thunder’s clear vision and their bravery in backing him. He also appreciated that the team wanted him to mentor young spinners like Tanveer Sangha and Chris Green, just like Sam Billings had made a positive impact the previous season.
About Sydney Thunder – Ashwin’s BBL Team
Sydney Thunder is one of the eight teams in Australia’s Big Bash League, representing Sydney’s western suburbs. The team plays its home games at Sydney Showground Stadium and wears distinctive green and white colours. Thunder has won the BBL championship once, claiming the title in BBL|05.
For the upcoming BBL 15 season, Thunder has assembled a strong squad with several international stars. Ashwin joins fellow overseas players Lockie Ferguson from New Zealand, Shadab Khan from Pakistan, and English wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Billings. The team is led by dynamic opening batsman David Warner, whose aggressive playing style matches Ashwin’s competitive mindset.
The Thunder are known for developing young talent and creating a family-like team culture. This environment appealed to Ashwin, who wants to share his vast cricket knowledge with the next generation. The team’s leadership was clear about Ashwin’s role – using his experience and spin bowling skills to win games while also helping younger players grow.
Why Ashwin’s Signing is Historic
Ashwin’s move to the Sydney Thunder breaks new ground in cricket. He is the first Indian national men’s representative to play in the BBL, making this a landmark moment for the league and Indian cricket. While Indian women cricketers have played in leagues worldwide for years, male players have been restricted by India’s cricket board (BCCI) from joining overseas T20 competitions.
The BCCI rules state that only retired Indian players can participate in foreign T20 leagues. This is why Ashwin had to wait until after retiring from both international cricket and the IPL before he could join Thunder. Previously, only Indian-born players who had moved to other countries, like Unmukt Chand and Nikhil Chaudhary, had played in the BBL.
Thunder’s Trent Copeland described signing Ashwin as a “pinch yourself” moment. He emphasized that getting an Indian legend and icon of the game was incredibly special. Ashwin’s presence will bring massive attention to the BBL from cricket fans in India and around the world, potentially opening doors for more retired Indian stars to explore overseas leagues in the future.
Ashwin’s Games for Sydney Thunder
Ashwin will be available for Thunder during the second half of BBL|15, starting in January 2025. He will also play in the finals if Thunder qualifies. This timing works perfectly as it allows him to settle into the team when the tournament reaches its exciting conclusion phase.
Some of the key matches Ashwin will feature in include Thunder’s trip to the Gabba to face Brisbane Heat on January 10. He will then play against Melbourne Renegades at Engie Stadium on January 12. Perhaps the most anticipated game is the Sydney Smash at the SCG on January 16, where Thunder face their cross-city rivals, the Sydney Sixers. This match is extra special because Steve Smith and Babar Azam are expected to play for the Sixers.
Conclusion: R Ashwin Will Play for Sydney Thunder in BBL
After a glorious international career where he became India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker and won multiple championships, Ashwin is now ready to be an “explorer of the game around various leagues.”
Thunder has landed one of cricket’s biggest names through smart planning and clear communication. They secured Ashwin as a replacement player after the BBL’s technical committee approved his special circumstances following his retirement from Indian cricket.
Cricket fans in Australia and India are eagerly waiting to see Ashwin bowl in Thunder’s green and white colors. His presence will bring enormous attention to BBL|15, especially during the Sydney Smash where he’ll face international stars like Steve Smith and Babar Azam.
FAQs
Ashwin is the first Indian national men’s cricket player to ever play in the Big Bash League. While Indian women have played in leagues worldwide and some Indian-born players who moved to other countries played in the BBL, no current or retired Indian national men’s player had joined before.
Ashwin didn’t participate in the BBL overseas player draft because he was still playing IPL cricket at that time. After retiring from the IPL last month, the BBL’s technical committee gave him special consideration because his circumstances had “materially changed.” The league rules allow teams to sign players outside the draft if their situation changes significantly, so Thunder could sign him as a replacement player.
Ashwin plays for Sydney Thunder in BBL|15. Thunder is one of the eight teams in the Big Bash League, representing Sydney’s western suburbs. They play in green and white colors and their home ground is Sydney Showground Stadium. The team is captained by David Warner and has other overseas stars like Lockie Ferguson, Shadab Khan, and Sam Billings.
Ashwin will join Thunder for the second half of BBL|15 in January 2025. His first expected match is against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on January 10. He will also play against Melbourne Renegades on January 12 and in the highly anticipated Sydney Smash against Sydney Sixers on January 16, where he’ll face stars like Steve Smith and Babar Azam.
Ashwin is India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker with 537 wickets from 106 matches. He played 287 games for India across all formats during his 15-year international career. In the IPL, he took 187 wickets over 16 seasons, making him the fifth most successful bowler in tournament history. He won the 2011 ODI World Cup with India and two IPL championships with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011.
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