Pakistan, Oct. 4 -- Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been ruled out of Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) after undergoing knee surgery, ending his chances of becoming the first Indian international to feature in the popular Twenty20 competition.

The 39-year-old, who had signed with Sydney Thunder in September, expressed disappointment over the setback. "I'm gutted to miss BBL. My focus now is recovery and coming back stronger. I'm grateful to the Thunder family and the fans for the warmth they've already shown me," Ashwin said in a statement.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) traditionally bars active Indian players-those still part of domestic or international cricket-from playing in overseas leagues. Howev...