Ashwin, who was set to become the first Indian male cricketer to feature in the BBL as a full-season signing, will now miss the tournament’s initial phase.
File Photo: IANS
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin’s much-awaited debut in the overseas franchise league has been deferred after the off-spinner was ruled out of the 2025 Big Bash League (BBL) following a knee injury during training in Chennai, his franchise Sydney Thunder announced on Tuesday.
Ashwin, who was set to become the first Indian male cricketer to feature in the BBL as a full-season signing, will now miss the tournament’s initial phase. The 39-year-old was expected to make his debut for the Thunder this season, but the franchise said they will track his rehabilitation to determine whether he can join the team later.
Advertisement
“The impact of Ashwin’s history-making signing will continue to be felt across the Thunder Nation, and the club is working closely with him on a revised schedule of activity during BBL-15, pending the progress of his recovery,” the franchise said in a statement.
Advertisement
Ashwin, in his own statement, confirmed the setback and expressed disappointment at missing the tournament.
“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 had retired from the IPL earlier this year and had agreed to join the Thunder for at least three matches in the second half of the BBL season. The deal followed his unsuccessful attempt to secure a contract in the ILT20 auction, where he had entered at a base price of USD 120,000 but went unsold, making him the first capped Indian to officially sign with a BBL side.
Sydney Thunder will open their BBL-15 campaign with a grand final rematch against Hobart Hurricanes in Hobart on December 16, before hosting the highly anticipated Sydney Smash at ENGIE Stadium on December 20.
Sydney Thunder’s updated squad: Wes Agar, Tom Andrews, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (ENG), Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson (NZ), Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Shadab Khan (PAK), Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Adian O’Connor, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner
Advertisement
