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Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is on the verge of creating history as the first capped Indian male cricketer to feature in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).
Four franchises, the Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, and Adelaide Strikers, are reportedly in the race to secure his services for the latter stages of the upcoming season, with the Thunder and Hurricanes emerging as frontrunners.
A final decision is expected later this week.
Ashwin’s potential signing comes at a time when the BBL has also seen a surge of Pakistani talent, raising the possibility of an Indo-Pak reunion in Australia.
For India, Ashwin’s participation marks a historic moment. No internationally capped Indian male player has previously featured in the BBL, largely due to BCCI regulations that prohibit only retired cricketers from participating in overseas franchise leagues.
Ashwin’s decision to step away from the IPL earlier this year has now opened the door for him to explore opportunities abroad.
In recent years, several former Indian stars have pursued similar paths. Dinesh Karthik appeared for Paarl Royals in the SA20, Ambati Rayudu played in the CPL and ILT20, while Robin Uthappa, Yusuf Pathan, and Suresh Raina have also represented franchises overseas.
Ravichandran Ashwin has already registered for the ILT20 auction in the UAE, set for next Tuesday.
If signed, he will feature in the tournament from December 2 to January 4. The BBL season runs from December 14 to January 25, leaving him available for three to four matches plus the finals should his team qualify.
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