SYDNEY — A bombshell report from the Sydney Morning Herald has sent shockwaves through the world of cricket, revealing that a landmark deal is nearing completion for ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to join the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League season. The highly anticipated move is possible because the player announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket earlier this year.
The End of a Decade-Long Wait
For years, the Big Bash League has been a tantalizing prospect for Indian fans, but a strict policy from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has prevented any capped male Indian players from participating. With 537 wickets across 106 Tests, Ashwin’s retirement has paved the way for a historic debut in overseas franchise cricket. Sources close to the negotiations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that a deal is close to being finalized due to the sensitive nature of the talks. The 39-year-old spinner has expressed his eagerness to play in Australia, and Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg has been personally involved in discussions.
A Growing Trend for Indian Retirees
While this would be a first for the BBL, Ashwin’s move follows a growing trend of retired Indian players venturing into T20 leagues around the world. The BCCI’s policy only permits players who are no longer active in Indian cricket to ply their trade abroad. This year alone, Dinesh Karthik played in the SA20 for the Paarl Royals, while Ambati Rayudu, who retired two years ago, has appeared for the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots and MI Emirates. Former cricketers Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, and Suresh Raina have also featured in leagues like the ILT20 and Abu Dhabi T10, highlighting the global opportunities now available to them.
A Busy Schedule and Limited Availability
Ashwin’s commitment to foreign leagues may not be limited to the BBL. He has already confirmed his participation in the inaugural ILT20 auction in the UAE, which is scheduled for next Tuesday. The ILT20 season has been rescheduled to run from December 2 to January 4. Given that the BBL begins on December 14, Ashwin’s participation will be limited. He will only be available for the final three to four home-and-away games and the finals, should his new franchise qualify.
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