Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin is expected to be the first player to play for a team in the upcoming Big Bash League season, though this has not been verified. In order to investigate other tournaments worldwide, Ashwin has declared his intention to retire from the Indian Premier League. In December 2024, he had already announced his retirement from all international cricket competitions.
Since the seasoned off-spinner announced his retirement from the IPL last week, Cricket Australia’s CEO Todd Greenberg reportedly has been in contact with him over the prospect of his participating in the Big Bash League.
Greenberg was thrilled that Ashwin, a “champion cricketer,” will be participating in the BBL.
“It will be fantastic on many levels to have someone with Ravichandran qualifications visit here for the BBL. According to Cricbuzz, Greenberg said, “He’s a champion cricketer who will bring a lot to the Big Bash and to our cricket summer.”
Ashwin will be the first Indian cricket player to compete in the BBL if the contract goes through. Over the course of his 14-year career, the 38-year-old has taken 765 international wickets in 287 games. In an earlier social media post, Ashwin discussed his decision to hang his boots from the IPL after playing in 5 games during his 221-game career in the lucrative competition.
The Hundred has expressed interest in the Chennai native for the 2026 campaign. Additionally, he has expressed his desire to sign up for the International League T20 auction. Ravichandran discussed his discussions with the ILT20 organisers, who have not yet finalised the squads, in an interview with the same journal. The ILT20 is scheduled to start in December.
Indeed, I’m negotiating with the organisers. If I sign up for the auction, hopefully I’ll have a buyer,” Ravichandran had previously told Cricbuzz.
In addition to his achievements for India, Ashwin was an essential member of CSK during the IPL. He has played a key role in their development into one of the marquee league’s dominant teams. During his 221 IPL games, Ashwin took 187 wickets at an economy rate of 7.20.
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