R Ashwin set for BBL history as he joins Sydney Thunder ahead of the 15th season

Legendary Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin is set to make new history as he became the first Indian international male cricketer to join a Big Bash League (BBL) team. The confirmation came on Thursday as the Sydney Thunder signed Ashwin for the upcoming 15th season of the BBL.

Welcoming Ashwin to its fold, the official handle of the BBL on X wrote: “CONFIRMED: The @ThunderBBL have landed one of the biggest signings in BBL history with @ashwinravi99 set to play in #BBL15.”

Ashwin joins Sydney Thunder in BBL

Ashwin, while retiring from the Indian Premier League ( IPL) last month, had announced that he would like to play in overseas franchise leagues. As an active Indian international or domestic cricketer is not allowed to play in overseas leagues, Ashwin decided to hang up his boots in the IPL.

“Thunder were crystal clear about how they’d use me and brave enough to back it,” Ashwin said after joining the Sydney franchise. “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.”

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Historic. pic.twitter.com/LgPJvYeTXx

— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) September 25, 2025

Ashwin is now set to be teammates with David Warner, Lockie Ferguson, Sam Billings and Pakistan’s Shadab Khan.

In IPL, Ashwin took 187 wickets in 221 matches, winning the tournament twice with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011. As an international cricketer, Ashwin took 765 wickets in 287 matches for India.

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He retired from international cricket last year, midway through the Border-Gavaskar Test series.

Sydney Thunder squad: Wes Agar, Tom Andrews, Ravichandran Ashwin (IND), 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, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner.