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R Ashwin joins Sydney Thunder for BBL, becoming the first male Indian in the league. His potential team-up with Shadab Khan has been a highlight amid recent India Pakistan tensions
Ashwin retired from IPL. (Picture credit: PTI)
Ravichandran Ashwin, after retiring from international and IPL cricket earlier this year, has signed with Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season.
The 39-year-old makes history as the first male Indian cricketer to play in Australia’s franchise T20 competition.
“Thunder were crystal clear about how they’d use me and brave enough to back it. My conversations with the leadership were excellent, and we’re fully aligned on my role,” Ashwin said on his move.
“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,” he added.
Ashwin To Play With Pakistani?
The Thunder already have a strong roster, including skipper David Warner, fast-bowling spearhead Pat Cummins, Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan, English wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings, Chris Green, and Sam Konstas.
Ashwin’s move to share a dressing room with Shadab Khan has raised a few eyebrows.
The Pahalgam attack of April 22 left 26 civilians dead. In response, India carried out airstrikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan in May, sparking a nearly 100-hour military conflict – the most serious exchange between the two countries since 1971.
That bitterness soon spilled onto the cricket field. During the Asia Cup, after India defeated Pakistan in a group-stage clash, Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistan players, which was repeated again during their Super 4 match on August 21.
Sledging, heated gestures and a flashpoint involving Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf and Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill overshadowed the match.
Ashwin himself weighed in on the controversy. On his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, he defended match referee Andy Pycroft and accused Pakistan of “unnecessary drama” over the handshake issue.
“After all this drama, you (Pakistan) lost the match. So what are you complaining about? You didn’t lose because we (India) didn’t shake hands. Please go and find out what you can actually improve,” Ashwin was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.
Interestingly, the BBL is outside ICC or BCCI oversight. So it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Ashwin and Shadab playing together in the same team.
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
Chennai [Madras], India, India
September 25, 2025, 16:15 IST
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