Published on, Sept. 26 -- September 26, 2025 2:27 PM

SYDNEY: Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin created history on Thursday by signing with Sydney Thunder, becoming the first male Indian cricketer to feature in Australia's Big Bash League (BBL).

The landmark deal follows Ashwin's retirement from international cricket in December and his recent exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL), moves that freed him from the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) long-standing restrictions preventing male players from joining overseas franchise leagues.

While Indian women have previously participated in the Women's BBL, no male cricketer had been permitted to do so until now. Ashwin, 39, thus marks a breakthrough moment for Ind...