Ravichandran Ashwin to play in Australia’s Big Bash League? He might play for THIS team

Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL), is on the cross-hairs of several cricket leagues around the world. The 38-year-old had expressed a wish to "explore the game around various leagues".

 

No longer under contract with the BCCI, Ashwin has been contacted by two overseas leagues already - The Hundred and the ILT20. And now, he is reportedly in talks with Cricket Australia to play in the Big Bash League (BBL).

 

According to Cricbuzz, Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg contacted Ashwin shortly after his IPL retirement. He confirmed the ongoing discussions snf called securing “champion cricketer" Ashwin a "great" outcome on many levels.

 

Ashwin would significantly benefit the Big Bash and would also boost Australia's summer cricket season, Greenberg added.

 

The details of the discussion are yet to be known, but Ashwin's availability for matches is crucial. Also, all eight BBL teams have mostly spent their salary budgets. Reports suggest that if the deal is finalised, Melbourne is likely to be Ashwin’s new cricketing home. He will also become the first Indian male cricketer to play in the BBL.

 

Ashwin was earlier linked to the ILT20. "Yes, I am in talks with the organisers. Hopefully, I will have a buyer if I register for the auction," Ashwin was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. However, while Season 4 of ILT20 is scheduled for December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026, the BBL runs from December 14, 2026, to January 25, 2026. So, he will have to make a choice.

 

The ILT20 auction is scheduled to take place on September 30 in Dubai and registration will be completed by September 10. This is the first time that ILT20 will have an auction as it followed the Draft System to pick players during earlier seasons.

 

Ashwin is India's second-highest wicket-taker across formats with 765 wickets in 287 international games.

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