R Ashwin Set To Script History As David Warner, Ricky Ponting's BBL Teams Make Offers

Retired Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has aimed for the skies this winter. As per reports, Ashwin is set to feature in both the International League T20 (ILT20, the UAE’s major T20 competition) and the Big Bash League (BBL, Australia’s counterpart and long-running tournament) within days of each other.

The ILT20 will run from December 2 this year to January 4, 2026. The BBL will begin on December 14 with the final on January 25.

Ashwin has already registered for the ILT20 auction, scheduled for October 1, and is all but certain to be picked. Meanwhile, he’s also in talks with as many as four BBL franchises — Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers — for a contract.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Ricky Ponting-coached

Thunder and David Warner-led Hurricanes are the frontrunners for the India legend, and a deal is likely to be finalised this week. The report said Ashwin would be available for the last three or four games plus the final, if his team reaches that far, in the BBL. The report added that the deal will include a clause for the 2026-27 season.

This would mean that Ashwin will likely begin his overseas tour with the ILT20, playing for the franchise that gets him in the auction, before traveling to Australia. He won’t be the first one to do that — the BBL and ILT20 often clash, and many players hop between the two tournaments with rather messy contract situations — but he would be the first Indian player of his stature to feature in both.

In the BBL, there is a three-player limit for overseas players in the starting 11s. All eight franchises have already signed three overseas players from the pre-season drafts and picks, but are allowed to sign four more, and Ashwin could be set to come in as a replacement when a BBL star leaves for other leagues.

If a deal is struck, Ashwin will become the first capped male Indian player to feature in the BBL. Only Unmukt Chand has previously featured in the Australian tournament.

Ashwin, who retired from all Indian cricket earlier this year, is now eligible to play in leagues around the world. Although he’s 39, this seems like just a start of a long journey.