Ravichandran Ashwin has been actively working towards a deal to play in an overseas league, and as a first step, he registered for the ILT20 auction. Now, reports suggest that Ashwin is close to signing with Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League.
The Indian stalwart is just a step away from officially joining the three-time BBL champions. If confirmed, Ashwin will become the first-ever Indian player to feature in Australia’s top-tier T20 league.
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Deal Worth Up to $1 Million
According to Australia-based outlet Sydney Morning Herald, Ashwin’s deal could be worth around $1 million over two years — placing him at the top end of BBL contracts, which usually cap around $400,000. The salary will be split between Sydney Thunder and Cricket Australia’s marketing pool.
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However, Ashwin’s full-season availability remains limited. With ILT20 scheduled to start on December 4 overlapping with the BBL the off-spinner will likely be available only for the second half of the season.
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A Landmark Moment for Indian Cricket
Ashwin has taken more than 700 international wickets and has done well in Australia, especially compared to other Indian spinners. Adding him could really help Sydney Thunder, who had a bad season last year and finished at the bottom of the points table.
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Ashwin's participation in the BBL is a historic event for both the tournament and Indian cricket as a whole. It breaks down long-standing barriers that kept Indian players from playing in leagues outside of India.
