From Rivals to Teammates: India & Pakistan Stars Unite in BBL

Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in August 2025, openly mentioned that he will be exploring opportunities in the overseas leagues as he wants to enjoy the last phase of his playing career.

For the last few weeks, Ravichandran Ashwin’s name has been in the news as several reports have claimed that the former off-spinner has expressed his desire to play in the International League (ILT20) and the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26.

His participation in the ILT20 is almost confirmed as he registered his name in the auction and set himself the highest base price. While, this was the news related to the ILT20, his name has also been doing rounds in the Australian cricket as well for the BBL.

R Ashwin BBL Debut

The reports claimed that Ravichandran Ashwin has offers from Sydney sides (Sixers and Thunder), as well as Hobart Hurricanes and Adelaide Strikers in the BBL. However, he is keen to play for Thunder, as per the reports in Australian media, and will link up with the side after ILT20.

The deal is reportedly finalised and the Sydney Thunder will be making the official announcement soon. Ashwin will be added to the team as a part of the exemption as he didn’t register for this year’s BBL overseas player draft. If he plays in the league, he will become the first high-profile Indian cricketer to feature in the league.

R Ashwin Shadab Khan to Play Together

If the reports are to be believed and Ravichandran Ashwin plays for Sydney Thunder, then he will be linking up with Pakistan’s Shadab Khan. The all-rounder along with New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson, were picked by the franchise in the draft that took place in June earlier this year.

Ashwin playing with Shadab Khan will be a massive topic, especially with the kind of relations that are going on between Indian and Pakistani players recently. The two teams form the greatest rivalry in cricket and are part of the Asia Cup 2025 where the political tensions have clearly emerged into the field.

R Ashwin Sydney Thunder debut will mean that he would be the second Indian player to play the BBL. Unmukt Chand, who helped India win the U19 World Cup, was the first Indian to play in the league, representing Melbourne Renegades in two matches during the 2021/22 season.

Not only this, but Ashwin is also expected to play The Hundred next year. The development was confirmed by The Daily Telegraph, whose report stated: “Ashwin would be eager to play in next season’s Hundred tournament. Ashwin plans to play in several leagues around the world over the coming years, and has identified the Hundred as a competition in which he would be eager to appear.”

Ravichandran Ashwin’s IPL Record

Ravichandran Ashwin ended his career as one of the best players in IPL. The off-spinner picked up 187 wickets from 221 games at an average of 30.22 and an economy of 7.20. He was no mug with the bat as well as he slammed 833 runs to go with one fifty with the bat.

In December 2024, Ashwin announced his retirement from international cricket midway during the Test series in Australia. He ended as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests. With the kind of knowledge that he has, it won’t be a surprise if he picks up a coaching role soon.