Ashwin Signs with Sydney Thunder for BBL|15

Ravichandran Ashwin has signed with the Sydney Thunder for BBL|15, becoming the first male Indian cricketer to join Australia’s Big Bash League; the Thunder called it the club’s “biggest overseas signing since the League’s inception.” The move follows Ashwin’s recent retirements from international cricket and the IPL, which freed him from BCCI rules that bar contracted Indian men from playing in overseas franchise leagues. He will be available to the Thunder in early January after completing ILT20 commitments (Dec 2–Jan 4) and may miss the BBL’s opening weeks, with the club expecting to use him as a mid-tournament bowling, leadership and mentorship injection. Ashwin will play under captain David Warner and alongside teammates including Pat Cummins and Pakistan’s Shadab Khan. The 39-year-old arrives with 765 international wickets (537 in Tests) and 187 IPL wickets, bringing world-class off-spin and veteran leadership.