Ravichandran Ashwin has extended his Big Bash League (BBL) deal with Sydney Thunder after pulling his name out of the International League T20 (ILT20) in the middle of the season-four auction. He’ll now join Thunder from the start of the 2025-26 season, which will begin on December 14 with the final on January 25.
Earlier, he was supposed to join the BBL in January after the end of his stint with a prospective ILT20 team, with the season in the UAE set to run from December 2 to January 4. He told Cricbuzz he withdrew from the ILT20 auction after going unsold in the first round, as his base price of USD 120,000 was the ‘bare minimum’ he’d accepted and his ‘value wasn’t met.’ Ashwin also admitted he had considered pulling out earlier due to his BBL deal.
“I have signed up with Sydney Thunder for the entire season,” he told Cricbuzz.
When he initially signed up for the last few matches of the BBL season, Ashwin had expressed his happiness about the move.
“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,” Ashwin was quoted as saying by Sydney Thunder. “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,” he added.
Ashwin will become the first capped Indian cricketer to play in the BBL. Before him, Unmukt Chand had represented the Melbourne Renegades but he only played for the India under-19 side.
Ashwin has played 333 T20 matches, taking 317 wickets and scoring 1233 runs. In the IPL, he has featured in 221 games for five franchises – Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, and Rajasthan Royals – with 187 wickets and 833 runs.
Internationally, Ashwin has represented India in 65 T20Is, claiming 72 wickets and adding 184 runs. A member of the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning squad, he also featured in a T20 World Cup for India.
