Ravichandran Ashwin’s BBL 15’s stint for Sydney Thunder ends before season began

Ravichandran Ashwin was to become the first Indian capped player to play in the Big Bash League.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who had signed for the Big Bash League 15 (2025-26) season with the Sydney Thunder, stint has come to an end, months before the season began.

Ashwin called time on his India international career after playing the Sydney Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. He had last played ODI cricket for India in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and T20I cricket for India in the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup.

After an underwhelming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season on return to his home franchise, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Ashwin called time on his IPL career as well, freeing him to take up T20 assignments overseas. He has signed for the ILT20 auction as well, but went unsold after pricing himself at the highest base price.

Therefore, Ashwin managed to sign a full BBL season deal with Sydney Thunder. The ace Indian spinner was also approached by the Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, and Adelaide Strikers to join their franchises, but Ashwin chose the David Warner-led team.

“I was genuinely excited”- Ravi Ashwin writes on social media revealing he suffered a knee injury

Due to a knee injury he sustained while practicing in Chennai, former India spinner Ashwin has withdrawn from the Big Bash League 15. The off-spinner was scheduled to compete in the BBL as the first Indian men’s cricket player.

If he fully recovers from the most recent injury setback, the off-spinner hinted at joining the team in the second half of the season, which ends on January 25, 2026.

”While training in Chennai to prepare for the upcoming season, I hurt my knee. I’ve had a procedure, and the outcome means I will miss BBL/15. That is tough to say. I was genuinely excited to be part of this group and play in front of you.

“For now it is rehab, recovery, and doing the work to come back stronger. From my first chat with the club, I have felt only warmth from Trent, the staff, the players, and so many of you who have already reached out. Thank you for making me feel at home before a ball has been bowled.

“I will be watching every game and cheering for both our women’s and men’s teams. If rehab and travel line up, and only if the doctors are happy, I would love to be around later in the season and say hello in person. No promises. That is the intent,” Ashwin posted on Instagram.

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A post shared by Ashwin (@rashwin99)

Ashwin will also be unable to participate in the Hong Kong Sixes due to his knee ailment. He has been picked to the India squad, headed by Dinesh Karthik, for the competition, which runs from November 7 to 9.

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