R Ashwin commits to full BBL season with Sydney Thunder after ILT20 snub

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has confirmed that he will participate in the entire Big Bash League (BBL) 2025 season, representing the Sydney Thunder in all matches. Initially, Ashwin had signed up for a shorter stint, covering only a few league games and the playoffs, but he has now extended his contract to remain available throughout the tournament.

The BBL 2025 is scheduled to run from December 14, 2025, to January 25, 2026. The right-arm spinner’s extended participation comes after his planned involvement in the ILT20 fell through. Ashwin went unsold in the ILT20 auction on October 1, and subsequently withdrew his name from the remaining rounds, unwilling to participate at a lower pay.

Ashwin had entered the ILT20 auction with a base price of $120,000, the highest among registered players, but was left disappointed when he was not picked. While there was still a chance of being acquired in later rounds, he chose not to continue, instead redirecting his focus to the BBL.

On October 2, Ashwin confirmed his full-season commitment to Sydney Thunder. Since he had previously given a verbal commitment to the ILT20, the Thunder and BBL granted him an exemption, though it required an adjustment in payment terms.

Coached by Trevor Baylis, Sydney Thunder finished third in last season’s BBL standings. Ashwin’s inclusion for the full season is expected to strengthen their spin department and provide the team with valuable experience as they aim for a higher finish in the upcoming edition.

"That's the price I wanted as a bare minimum, and I'm happy not to play at this stage of my career if my value isn't met. I was about to pull out a few days before the auction because of the Thunder deal, but since I had already committed to the ILT20 that I would enter the auction, I honoured my word. However, I did not agree to lowering my base price," Ashwin said to Cricbuzz.

"I have signed up with Sydney Thunder for the entire season," he added.