Ravichandran Ashwin is set to create history by being the first male capped player from India to feature in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL), with four clubs having shown interest in buying the off-spinner to play in the latter stages of the T20 League Down Under. It is understood that Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, and Adelaide Strikers are the four franchises chasing the legendary former Indian spinner.
According to the ESPNCricinfo report, Thunder and Hurricanes are front runners for the off-spinner's service, with a deal likely materializing later this week. Notably, no international capped Indian player has featured in BBL so far, but Ashwin's retirement from the IPL earlier this year has opened the door for him to play T20 Leagues across the globe for the first time. Only retired Indian players are allowed to feature in T20 Leagues by the BCCI.
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Earlier this year, keeper-batter Dinesh Karthik turned out for Paarl Royals in the SA20 League. In 2023, Ambati Rayudu turned up to play for St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in CPL, and in January 2024, with MI Emirates in ILT20 League. Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan also played for Dubai Capitals in ILT20. Two years ago, Suresh Raina played for Deccan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10.
Ashwin set to play ILT20 2026 season
Notably, Ashwin will also feature in the next season of the ILT20. The off-spinner has already been committed to auction in the UAE, which will take place on Tuesday, September 23. If picked, he will play his first-ever ILT20, which will begin from December 2 until January 04. The BBL season will kick off on December 14, and the home-and-away part of the season will run till January 18.
The finals will be played on January 20 and 25. This means the Indian ex-cricketer will be available for at least three to four games and until the end of the season for one of those clubs to play the finals, should any team sign him. According to the same report, the deal will also include BBL for the 2026/27 season. BBL clubs can play three foreign players in the XI. Each of the eight franchises has locked three players in the league's pre-signing rules and the June overseas draft.
Clubs can sign an additional four overseas replacement players, meaning they can have up to seven players on their list, but only three can feature at a time. The BBL rules state that a replacement players have to nominate themselves for the draft, which Ashwin failed to do as he was not retired at that time.
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But there is an exemption for overseas players to be allowed to play in the BBL if their circumstances have changed. England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was allowed to play BBL for Perth Scorchers after getting a green signal from the ECB, having initially been ruled out of nominating for the draft due to injury.
