Win Projections to be updated soon
Sydney, 5 November 2025:
Ravichandran Ashwin’s bid to become the first India-capped male cricketer to play in Australia’s Big Bash League has been delayed after the veteran spinner was ruled out of the upcoming KFC BBL|15 season with a knee injury.
The Sydney Thunder confirmed Tuesday that Ashwin, 39, underwent knee surgery after suffering the injury during training in Chennai. His recovery timeline means he will not be available for the competition, which begins next month.
Ashwin, who signed a two-year deal with the Thunder earlier this year, had committed to playing the full season. The franchise, however, hopes to keep him involved in a non-playing capacity while he continues rehabilitation.
“Everyone at Sydney Thunder was devastated to learn of Ash’s knee injury that has ruled him out of BBL|15, and we wish him well in his recovery,” Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said in a statement. “From the moment we first spoke with Ash, his commitment to Thunder was clear. We are hopeful of welcoming him into our dugout for part of the season and building a long-term relationship.”
Ashwin said he was “gutted” to miss the tournament but vowed to return stronger.
“My focus now is recovery and coming back stronger,” he said. “I’m grateful to the Thunder family and fans for the warmth they’ve already shown me. I’ll be watching every game, probably at odd hours in Chennai and cheering for both our men’s and women’s teams. If rehab and travel align, and the doctors are happy, I’d love to be around later in the season and meet everyone in person.”
Copeland said the club remains eager to extend its partnership with India’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, who retired from international cricket last December and from the Indian Premier League in August.
Under BCCI rules, only retired Indian men’s players can feature in overseas T20 leagues, making Ashwin the first high-profile Indian international to sign with a Big Bash club.
The Thunder are working with Ashwin on a revised schedule of off-field activities during BBL|15 to ensure his signing still benefits the club and its supporters.
Despite the setback, the Thunder have strong spin options for the upcoming season. Pakistan leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan headlines their overseas recruits, alongside returning players Lockie Ferguson of New Zealand and England wicketkeeper-batter Sam Billings.
Local spinners Chris Green, Tanveer Sangha and Tom Andrews round out the squad’s slow-bowling contingent. The Thunder are expected to use spin heavily at their home ground, Engie Stadium, which last season proved the most economical venue for spin bowlers in the league.
“Particularly at our home deck, there’s probably a greater opportunity for maximum spin output,” Copeland said earlier. “But all our spinners are genuine allrounders, which gives us flexibility and balance within the side.”
