Former Team India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin`s much-anticipated debut in Australia`s Big Bash League (BBL) has been delayed due to a knee injury.
Following the injury, he has been ruled out of the entire season with the Sydney Thunder.
He announced his retirement from international cricket last year and also drew curtains on his IPL career in August 2025 to focus on featuring in the T20 league in the world, such as BBL, The Hundred and SA20.
“While training in Chennai to prepare for the upcoming season, I hurt my knee. I`ve had a procedure, and the outcome means I`ll miss BBL15. That is tough to say. I was genuinely excited to be part of this group,” wrote Ashwin on Instagram.
The Big Bash League (BBL) 15 is set to begin on December 14. Due to his injury, the spinner will also miss out on featuring in Hong Kong Sixes, which is scheduled to be in action from November 7-9.
Robin Uthappa has been named as his replacement in the Hong Kong Sixes.
“For now it is rehab, recovery and doing the work to come back stronger. From my first chat with the club, I have felt only warmth. Trent (Copeland, the Thunder general manager), the staff, the players and so many of you who have already reached out. Thank you for making me feel at home before a ball has been bowled,” he wrote for Sydney Thunder fans.
The 39-year-old cricketer also said that if the injury heals in time, he would be present to cheer the team in person.
“If rehab and travel line up, and only if the doctors are happy, I would love to be round later in the season and say hello in person. No promises. That is the intent,” he wrote.
Reflecting on the Indian`s injury, the general manager of Sydney Thunder, Trent Copeland, said that everyone was devastated after learning the news. He stated that his commitment to Thunder was very clear.
“Everyone at Sydney Thunder was devastated to learn of Ash`s knee injury… and we wish him well in his recovery. From the moment we first spoke with Ash, his commitment to Thunder was clear. We are hopeful of welcoming him into our dugout for part of BBL15, introducing him to our fans at events and building a long-term relationship,” he said.
“While disappointing for the club, we have built two championship-contending squads and expect to continue the progress of recent seasons in WBBL11 and BBL15. We can`t wait to get back in front of our fans in Western Sydney for two massive campaigns,” added Copeland.
Apart from Ashwin, the Sydney Thunder also consists of the likes of renowned cricketers such as David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Lockie Ferguson, Sam Konstas and Tanveer Sangha.