Hong Kong-bound Ravichandran Ashwin becomes first Indian player to join Big Bash League

His deal comes after he retired from international cricket in December and ended his Indian Premier League career last month, freeing him from the Indian board’s restrictions that bar male players from taking part in global franchise leagues.

While Indian women have participated in the women’s edition of the BBL, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has never allowed its male counterparts to join overseas T20 competitions, making 39-year-old Ashwin’s Thunder signing a historic moment.

“The Thunder Nation will welcome the biggest overseas signing since the league’s inception, with Ashwin set to become the first male player to have represented India to join a BBL club,” the team said in a statement.

“Ashwin will enter Thunder’s line-up in early January and ignite the club’s push to play in back-to-back BBL Finals.”

However, the crafty off-spinner will not immediately join Thunder’s campaign when the BBL season starts in December, as he has committed to the International League T20 tournament.

Click here to read article