Retired Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is gearing up for a busy winter, with plans to participate in both the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE and Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) almost back-to-back. The ILT20 is scheduled to run from December 2, 2025, to January 4, 2026, while the BBL will kick off on December 14, concluding with the final on January 25. Ashwin has already registered for the ILT20 auction on October 1 and is widely expected to be picked by one of the franchises.

Meanwhile, negotiations are underway with four BBL teams — Sydney Thunder, Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers, and Adelaide Strikers — for a short-term contract. Reports from ESPNcricinfo suggest that Ricky Ponting-coached Sydney Thunder and David Warner-led Hobart Hurricanes are frontrunners for securing Ashwin’s services, with a deal likely to be finalised soon.

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According to reports, Ashwin would be available for the last three or four games of the BBL, including the fina,l if his team qualifies. The deal is expected to include a clause for the 2026-27 season, giving him potential continuity in Australia. This plan would see Ashwin first compete in the ILT20 before heading to Australia, making him the first Indian of his stature to feature in both leagues in a single season.

Ravichandran Ashwin is poised to become the first capped male Indian cricketer to join the BBL, with four teams expressing interest in the Indian spinner 🏏#RavichandranAshwin #BBL #BigBash #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/veH4zbbVgW

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) September 23, 2025

In the BBL, franchises are allowed a maximum of three overseas players in their starting XI. While all eight teams have already filled their initial slots, they can sign up to four additional overseas players. Ashwin could slot in as a replacement when a contracted overseas player departs for other leagues.

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If the deal materialises, Ashwin will become the first capped male Indian cricketer to play in the BBL. So far, only Unmukt Chand has represented India in the Australian T20 league. Retiring from all Indian cricket earlier this year, Ashwin, now 39, is embarking on a new chapter in global T20 leagues, signalling that his cricketing journey may just be getting started.