Former Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin reportedly signed for Sydney Thunder in the upcoming edition of the Australian Big Bash League (BBL) in a historic deal that will make the 39-year-old first controversial Indian who appears in the Australia T20 franchise tournament. Ashwin, who retired from the International Cricket and Indian Premier League (IPL), will become a member of Sydney Thunder after the ILT20 of the VAE of Sydney Thunder.
According to a FOX Sports report, Ashwin has agreed to attract the Lime Green sweater with an official announcement that will probably take place later this week. Ashwin becomes the fourth international star after Sam Billings in England, Lockie Ferguson and Pakistan Shadab Khan from Nieuw -Zeeland.
The development of Ashwin who signed a BBL deal came to light after Cricket Australia (CA), CEO Todd Greenberg, had reached the Indian veteran for a potential Stint in the coming season of BBL. It should be noted that Indian players are not allowed to participate in foreign T20 franchise competitions while they are still registered as an active player at the BCCI.
R Ashwin becomes the second player to play in BBL
Ashwin will also be the second Indian male player after 2012 U-19 World Cup captain Umukt Chand to play in BBL. Chand played Renegades for Melbourne in the 2021-22 season after his retirement from Indian Cricket. The right -handed had played in two games.
However, Cricket Australia will have to make an exemption for Ashwin for his participation in the tournament, because the Indian had not registered for the BBL Overseas Player Draft. Former New Zealand battleman Martin Guptill needed an exemption from Ca for his last-minute admission to Melbourne Renegades in 2022. The franchises at BBL may sign more than three overseas cricketers, but can only play in the start of XI.
Earlier, Ashwin had officially registered for next week's ILT20 auction with a highest basic price of USD 120000. The Indian off-spinner, who retired with 765 international and 187 IPL-Wickets, has fully committed to the ILT20 that concludes on January 4.
