R Ashwin Likely To Become First India-Capped Male Player To Debut In Big Bash League

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is likely to become the first-ever India-capped player in men's category to participate in Australia's premier T20 competition - BBL (Big Bash League). As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, as many as four clubs have shown interest in his services for the business end of the 2025-26 season. If reports are to be believed, the likes of Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, and Adelaide Strikers are the four teams chasing Ashwin's signature, which is likely to become a historic signing.

The report further states that Thunder and Hurricanes are frontrunners to sign the legendary Cricketer.

The upcoming season of the Big Bash League (BBL) is scheduled to start on December 14, 2025, with the final to be played on January 25, 2026.

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Ashwin Joins Dinesh Karthik, Ambati Rayudu In List

As per the BCCI policy, only retired Indian players are eligible to take part in overseas T20 leagues. This isn't the first instance where an Indian Cricketer has played in an overseas T20 league in the past. Dinesh Karthik, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan have set precedents in the past.

Two years ago, Suresh Raina was part of the Deccan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10. 

BBL clubs are allowed to feature three overseas players in their XI, having already secured three spots through pre-signing rules and the June overseas draft. However, they can sign up to four additional overseas replacement players, bringing their total list to seven, with the flexibility to swap them in and out as needed.

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If a team releases an international player, R Ashwin could potentially fill the spot as a replacement player.

Inputs from Agency