Ravichandran Ashwin Tipped for Big Bash League Debut with Sydney Sixers

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin is reportedly nearing a deal with the Sydney Sixers in Australia’s Big Bash League. Should this agreement materialize, he could potentially share the field with Pakistan’s prominent batter, Babar Azam, according to sources.

Reports indicate that Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has engaged with Ashwin regarding his possible participation in the tournament.

The 38-year-old, having recently retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL), is allegedly eager to prolong his T20 career by competing in Australia’s leading franchise competition.

Sources suggest that three franchises—Sydney Sixers, Melbourne Stars, and Adelaide Strikers—have shown interest in securing the services of the veteran off-spinner. If negotiations prove successful, Ashwin might debut in the BBL later this year.

With the Sydney Sixers already confirming the acquisition of Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam for the upcoming season, the potential signing of Ashwin could lead to the remarkable spectacle of top-tier players from India and Pakistan collaborating in the same team within a significant T20 league.

Greenberg conveyed his enthusiasm regarding Ashwin’s potential arrival, emphasizing the considerable value he could bring to the competition.

“Securing someone of Ashwin’s caliber for the BBL would be immensely beneficial on numerous fronts. He stands as a distinguished cricketer poised to significantly enrich the Big Bash and our cricket season,” Greenberg commented.

Ashwin recently declared his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), concluding an illustrious association that spanned more than 15 years.

Ashwin began his IPL journey in 2009 with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under MS Dhoni’s guidance. Celebrated for his diverse bowling techniques, most notably the carrom ball, he rapidly gained widespread recognition.

He was instrumental in CSK’s consecutive title victories in 2010 and 2011, with Dhoni entrusting him with the new ball during the 2011 final against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he successfully dismissed Chris Gayle.

Following CSK’s suspension in 2016, Ashwin represented Rising Pune Supergiant, although an injury sidelined him for the 2017 season.

Subsequently, he captained Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in 2018 and 2019, during which his controversial ‘Mankading’ dismissal of Jos Buttler sparked considerable debate regarding the spirit of cricket.

Ashwin later joined Delhi Capitals before transitioning to Rajasthan Royals in 2022, where he achieved a historic milestone as the first batter to be strategically ‘retired out’ in an IPL match.

CSK reacquired Ashwin in 2025 for INR 9.75 crore at the mega auction. However, his final season proved underwhelming, securing only seven wickets in nine matches, with CSK finishing at the bottom of the league table.

Across 16 IPL seasons, Ashwin participated in 221 matches, claiming 187 wickets with an economy rate of 7.20, establishing him as the fifth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history.

With the bat, he accumulated 833 runs, including a half-century. His contributions also extended to the Champions League T20 (CLT20), where he secured 30 wickets in 20 matches, playing a pivotal role in CSK’s title-winning campaigns in 2010 and 2014.