Major update reveals Ravichandran Ashwin's new challenge in T20s
A major update has revealed that the former Indian spin all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, is expected to go through a new challenge in the T20s to become the first Indian player to get signed in the Big Bash League (BBL).
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India’s former off-spin all-rounder, Ravichandran Ashwin, is going to be the first male player of the country to play the Big Bash League, with four clubs vying for his services to play in the latter stages of the upcoming season. The reports have claimed that Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, and Adelaide Strikers are the four teams chasing the veteran.
Thunder and Hurricanes are, however, the front-runners for the Indian player as the deal is likely to get finalized next week. Ashwin’s retirement has opened the door for the chance that no Indian player has been able to do in the past. Only retired players of the BCCI are allowed to participate in the overseas T20 leagues.
Earlier this year, Dinesh Karthik featured for the Paarl Royals in the SA20, while two years ago, Ambati Rayudu played for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the CPL before playing for the MI Emirates in the ILT20. Robin Uthappa and Yusuf Pathan have also played for the Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, while Suresh Raina played for the Decan Gladiators in the Abu Dhabi T10.
Ravichandran Ashwin set to become first Indian to play in BBL 2025-26
Ashwin has already committed to be in the ILT20 auction in UAE, which will be next Tuesday. If he gets picked, he will have to go through the season from December 02 to January 04. The BBL, meanwhile, begins on December 14 and the home-and-away part runs till January 18, with the finals being scheduled to take place between January 20 and 25.
That means Ashwin will be available to play three to four games at the end of the season if his side qualifies for the final. BBL clubs can play three overseas players in the eleven, with each club locking those in the pre-signing and June overseas draft. Clubs can sign an additional overseas replacement player to make it seven.
The club that signs Ashwin will have to fit his salary inside their overall purse, much of which has already been allocated for most squads. Teams, however, can go over the cap by 5% in a particular year with approval from the league’s technical committee, over three years.
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Subhradeep Choudhury
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