India’s legendary spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is set to make waves as he gears up for his maiden Big Bash League (BBL) season with Sydney Thunder, led by David Warner. Initially, Ashwin had planned to play just a few matches due to commitments in the ILT20, but after going unsold in the Dubai auction, he has agreed to play the entire 2025/26 season, making history as the first Indian male cricketer in the league.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s Big Bash League debut
The two-time IPL winner brings unmatched experience, having claimed nearly 600 Test wickets and mastered every format of the game. Former India coach Ravi Shastri, during Kayo Sports event, praised Ashwin’s commitment, saying, “Think this is the first time an Indian player is coming, so that itself is huge. And he is not just any Indian player; he is someone who has taken close to 600 wickets (in Tests). He is someone who loves playing and wants to…I have spoken to him and he’s playing the whole Big Bash this time.” His arrival promises to inject quality, excitement, and high-level strategy into Australia’s premier T20 competition.
Sydney Thunder will rely on Ashwin’s experience as they kick off their season, and he is scheduled to return to Adelaide on January 6, providing ample time to acclimatize and make a major impact. His debut is not just a personal milestone; it is a historic landmark for Indian cricket’s influence in global T20 leagues.
Ravi Shastri sends stern warning to Batters ahead of Ashwin’s first BBL season
Ravi Shastri didn’t hold back when discussing what opponents can expect from Ashwin in the BBL. Known for his astute cricketing intelligence and precision, Ashwin has already earned a reputation as a master strategist at the non-striker’s end. Shastri warned, “Don’t leave your crease. He’ll run you out. That’s the first message. Don’t try and steal a run, because he’ll take those bails off, and rightly so.”
This warning is far from empty. Ashwin famously ran out Jos Buttler in a 2019 IPL match while Buttler left the crease early, sparking debates on the “spirit of cricket” while remaining fully within the laws of the game. His tactical awareness, combined with his spin wizardry, makes him a formidable presence in the BBL, forcing every batter to think twice before taking risks.
Ashwin’s BBL journey follows his retirement from the IPL in August 2025, which freed him from BCCI contracts and allowed him to explore overseas opportunities. While Unmukt Chand previously represented India in the BBL, Ashwin is the first Test legend to grace the league, bringing credibility and high-level expertise to Australia’s T20 stage.
