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Ravichandran Ashwin is being courted to join the Big Bash League. If it happens, he’ll become the first senior Indian men’s international in BBL history.
Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from all forms of Indian cricket. (Picture Credit: AP)
Ravichandran Ashwin is reportedly in talks with Cricket Australia (CA) for a sensational move to the Big Bash League (BBL). If the move goes ahead, he’ll become the first senior Indian men’s international to feature in the Australian T20 competition, which could be a groundbreaking step for both countries.
According to Cricbuzz, the move being discussed is for the upcoming edition of the league, which begins on December 15. Although most teams are all but complete, having spent most of their budgets in the pre-season player drafts, the CA is discussing a workaround to get Ashwin on board.
They have held discussions with both Ashwin and the teams already. The report said while all eight teams could sign him at this stage, the player is likely to prefer one of the Melbourne-based sides — Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades.
“To get someone with Ashwin’s credentials to come over here for the BBL will be great at so many levels. He’s a champion cricketer who will bring a lot to the Big Bash and to our cricket summer,” Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg told the website.
Ashwin would likely be worth any exceptional deal. He’s one of the most popular cricketers in India and will bring guaranteed eyeballs to the BBL from the sub-continent, which is the biggest market for the sport that every non-IPL league also constantly competes for, not to mention the extra sponsorship deals he might generate. Moreover, Ashwin’s participation might encourage more retired Indian cricketers to make the move.
That could be huge for BBL, which has long sought Indian participation in it. While the Women’s Big Bash League has seen several high-profile names like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemimah Rodrigues over the years, the BBL has only seen Unmukt Chand, the former India under-19 captain who never made it to the senior side. The BCCI doesn’t allow active Indian men’s cricketers to participate outside IPL.
The report added that Ashwin is also keen to explore coaching roles in the BBL, and is keen to learn and grow further even after his retirement.
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