Ashwin Ruled Out of Big Bash League 2025-26 due to Knee Injury
Ravichandran Ashwin has been ruled out of his debut Big Bash League season with the Sydney Thunder after undergoing knee surgery. The veteran Indian off-spinner expressed his disappointment, calling the news “gutting,” as he was set to become the first capped Indian player to feature in the BBL.
In an official statement, the Sydney Thunder confirmed that they are working closely with Ashwin on a revised schedule that could involve appearances at games in a non-playing capacity. Ashwin revealed in a heartfelt Instagram post that he sustained a knee injury during training in Chennai, which required a surgical procedure. He will miss the entirety of the BBL 2025 season, scheduled to start from December 14 until January 25, 2026.
After announcing his retirement from the Indian Premier League earlier this year, Ashwin became eligible to participate in overseas leagues. He had committed to the Thunder for the full season after going unsold in the ILT20 auction, making his withdrawal a significant setback for both the player and the franchise.
Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said the franchise was devastated by the news and praised Ashwin’s enthusiasm and professionalism throughout their discussions. He also expressed hope that Ashwin might still join the team later in the season to engage with fans and support the squad off the field.
Ashwin’s absence is not only a blow for the Thunder but also for the BBL as a whole. Cricket Australia officials, including CEO Todd Greenberg and BBL head Alistair Dobson, had personally been in contact with Ashwin to facilitate his signing. His presence was expected to add immense value and global appeal to the league, especially with fans anticipating his match-ups against Australian stars such as Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell and David Warner, as well as Pakistan’s Babar Azam, who is set to play for the Sydney Sixers.
Despite the setback, Thunder remain strong in the spin department with Chris Green, Tanveer Sangha, Shadab Khan and Tom Andrews among their top options. The team will have the chance to sign an injury replacement player, but Ashwin’s absence will certainly be felt by Australian cricket and BBL fans.
Sydney Thunder Squad To Date:
Wes Agar, Tom Andrews, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (ENG) Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson (NZ), Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Shadab Khan (PAK), Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Adian O’Connor, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner