Ravichandran Ashwin Becomes First Indian Male Cricketer to Join Big Bash League, Signs with Sydney Thunder
The legendary spinner, who retired from international cricket and IPL earlier this year, will debut in BBL Season 15 with Sydney Thunder alongside David Warner and Shadab Khan.
Kevin Varchand 
Ravichandran Ashwin, the legendary Indian Cricketer, becomes the first male player to take part in Australia's Big Bash League. He is signed by Sydney Thunder, the franchise confirmed the news today. Ashwin joins the BBL before the start of the 15th season. The league is one of the most entertaining T20 leagues around the world. Ashwin recently retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL) last month. He will soon be joining the Sydney Thunder’s team and begin the training.
Ravichandran Ashwin makes BBL Debut
Ashwin ended his international career in December last year, midway through the Border-Gavaskar Test series. He bid adieu to the format with 537 wickets, the seventh-highest in Test history. Overall, he claimed 765 international wickets in 287 appearances for India. Last month, he drew curtains on his IPL career. The 38-year-old has played for five different IPL franchises during his 221-game career – Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals. He is twice an IPL champion with CSK in 2010 and 2011 and has 187 career wickets in the tournament to sit fifth all-time.
The decision to retire from IPL, made it possible for Ashwin to make himself available for overseas leagues, given that the BCCI contract bars Indian players from participating in T20 tournaments outside the country.
Ashwin said: “Thunder were 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.”
Trent Copeland, Sydney Thunder General Manager, said: “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.”
Sydney Thunder Squad for BBL 2025
Ashwin will share the Sydney Thunder dressing room with the likes of David Warner, Lockie Ferguson, Sam Billings and Pakistan’s Shadab Khan.
Sydney Thunder squad: 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.
