Ravichandran Ashwin signs with Sydney Thunder for BBL 2025-26

Ravichandran Ashwin will be the first capped Indian cricketer to play in the Big Bash League.

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has been announced as the new signing for the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26, joining the Sydney Thunder club. This landmark deal will make him the first capped Indian men’s cricketer to play in the Australia’s T20 league.

While both former India domestic player Nikhil Chaudhary and former India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand have participated in the BBL in recent years, Chaudhary now qualifies as a local in Australia and made his List A debut for Tasmania this month, while Chand is a USA citizen.

Ashwin is now able to play in foreign competitions after retiring from the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year. As the player with the highest base price, he has already registered for the ILT20 auction the following week.

Given that the BBL tournament begins on December 14, he will be absent for the first three weeks due to his commitment to the ILT20, which is scheduled to take place between December 2 and January 4. The season’s home-and-away portion ends on January 18. The finals are scheduled for January 20–25.

Before being approached by the Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, and Adelaide Strikers to join them, he first spoke with Todd Greenberg, the CEO of Cricket Australia, and then league executives.

“I can’t wait to perform for the Thunder Nation.”- Ravichandran Ashwin

Former Australia pacer Trent Copeland, now the manager of Sydney Thunder, brokered the deal with Ravi Ashwin.

“I am so proud that Ashwin has chosen Sydney Thunder. From the first time we spoke, Ashwin impressed everyone at the Thunder with his passion, desire to win, and understanding of what makes our club special. He will bring an injection of fresh energy and world-class bowling mid-tournament, while his presence as a leader and mentor will be invaluable for our young players.

“Perhaps most excitingly, Ashwin’s connection with the rapidly growing Indian diaspora in Western Sydney will inspire a new wave of members and fans to join the Thunder Nation. We can’t wait for them to become part of our journey,” Copeland said on the Thunder website.

Ravichandran Ashwin played for India across formats from 2011 to 2023, taking 765 wickets in 287 matches. This included 537 test wickets in over 100 games. He won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 with the Indian team.

“Thunder was 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. 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,” Ashwin stated.

Ashwin also played in the IPL from 2009 to 2025, taking 187 wickets in 221 matches for five teams. He won the IPL twice in 2010 and 2011 with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

“Hello everyone, this is Ash here, like you all call me Australia, Ravi, and hopefully during this summer, I try and make all of you call me Ash and not Ravi. Super pumped to be joining Sydney Thunder and playing this Big Bash season. Looking forward to connecting with all the Western Sydney fans and having a blast,” Ashwin said in a video shared on Thunder Instagram.

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