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Ravichandran Ashwin Likely to Become First High-Profile Indian Cricketer to Play in BBL

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Manan Mehta | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 4:15 AM ET

The Indian Test team is going through a major transitional phase with their big names stepping out and the new age cricketers getting a chance to express themselves. The talk is often about the fact that both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from Test cricket, leaving a big hole in the batting line up.

However, the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin in Australia also was a big one as he, for more than 10 years, held the spin bowling together for the side. India’s batting handled itself well in the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the recently concluded England series. However, their bowling saw multiple off days, and fans did miss Ashwin.

Ashwin, on his part, has been seen making some big decisions when it comes to his cricket career going forward. Very intently lost in his YouTube channel, Ashwin is producing content loved by one and all. However, the big news he gave to the cricket world in recent times was his decision to retire from IPL cricket as well. It comes as a result of his understanding that he may not get a chunk of 14 games with any franchise consistently.

Post the massive IPL walk out, Ashwin had expressed his desire to play in other different leagues around the world and explore various flavors before he hangs his boots forever. In the recent developments, as reported by Cricbuzz, Ashwin in all likelihood is going to resume cricket in the continent he left it in. Ashwin in December 2024 said goodbye to international cricket in Australia.

CRICBUZZ EXCLUSIVE

Ravichandran Ashwin could be all set to become the first high-profile Indian cricketer to feature in the Big Bash League (BBL). And it could happen as early as the upcoming season pic.twitter.com/eaWx3rnCXb
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 2, 2025

In all likelihood, he will be going back to Australia to take part in the upcoming Big Bash League. The Australian T20 carnival is all set to get going from the 14th of December, and Ashwin has some time on his hands to make a decision this big.

Reports suggest that Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg is currently in talks with the spinner for any possibility of him appearing in the league this year. Greenberg would look to make a deal the spinner cannot refuse in a bid to create history between the two countries. If Ashwin ends up taking part in the league, he will become the first high profile Indian cricketer to take part in the Big Bash League.

This could very well start a new journey for the spinner as he approaches the twilight of his cricket career. With leagues scheduled around the world right through the calendar, there is a possibility Ashwin may make grand appearances in all to complete an illustrious career like his.

What can Ravichandran Ashwin learn from Dinesh Karthik’s experience?

It is an unusual coincidence that two big names of Indian cricket who have hung up their boots and have decided to take part in various leagues hail from the same state. Tamil Nadu’s Dinesh Karthik called time on his India career a couple of years ago.

Post that, he made a big move of going to South Africa and taking part in the SA20 league. He became the first high profile Indian cricketer to do so. Ashwin, who also hails from the same state, may be able to draw some insights from his state senior as he too bids to play for various leagues around the world.

Having not played cricket for a while before stepping into SA20, Karthik did find it tough as he struggled to stack performances. Playing for the Paarl Royals, Karthik managed to score only 130 runs in his allotted matches at an average of just over 21.

He did score one half-century but apart from that, couldn’t be much notable with the bat. Ashwin would keep the lack of cricket in mind as he looks to approach new avenues. Having played a lot of cricket in Australia over the years, Ashwin would know a thing or two about the conditions down under and would look to train in a manner that allows him to excel. Regardless of his eventual performances, the sheer fact of an Indian cricketer stepping into the Big Bash League will pull crowds in big numbers.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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