R Ashwin signs with Sydney Thunder

Published - 25 Sept 2025, 15:00 IST | Updated - 25 Sept 2025, 15:13 IST

Sydney Thunder have made the biggest overseas signing since the League’s inception, with spinner R Ashwin set to become the first player to have represented India to join a BBL club.

Ashwin will enter Thunder’s line up in early January and ignite the club’s push to play in back-to-back BBL Finals. The 39-year-old brings an unrivalled cricket resume, a hunger to win and commitment to growing the game globally. His presence in Thunder green will bring leadership and class on-field, while uniting the club’s multicultural Western Sydney heartland.

In 287 matches for India, Ashwin’s off-spin claimed 765 international wickets, including 537 wickets at Test level, to sit eighth among bowlers all-time in the format. He is a Cricket World Cup (2011) and Champions Trophy (2013) winner with India, the ICC’s Cricketer and Test Cricketer of the Year of 2016 and a member of the 2011-20 Men’s Test Team of the Decade.

In 16 IPL seasons, Ashwin made 221 appearances for five franchises, making him the tournament’s seventh most-capped player. He is twice an IPL champion with Chennai Super Kings in 2010 and 2011 and has 187 career wickets in the tournament to sit fifth all-time. Ashwin joins the club following his retirement from international duties and the IPL.

“Thunder were crystal clear about how they’d use me and brave enough to back it. My conversations with the leadership were excellent, and we’re fully aligned on my role. I love how Dave Warner plays the game, and it’s always better when your leader shares your mindset. I can’t wait to perform for the Thunder Nation,” Ashwin said.

Trent Copeland, Sydney Thunder General Manager, said:

“I am so proud that Ashwin has chosen Sydney Thunder. From the first time we spoke, Ashwin impressed everyone at the Thunder with his passion, desire to win and understanding of what makes our club special. He will bring an injection of fresh energy and world-class bowling mid-tournament, while his presence as a leader and mentor will be invaluable for our young players.

“Perhaps most excitingly, Ashwin’s connection with the rapidly growing Indian diaspora in Western Sydney will inspire a new wave of members and fans to join the Thunder Nation. We can’t wait for them to become part of our journey.”

Before Ashwin's arrival, Thunder kick off their BBL campaign in Hobart with a grand final re-match against the Hurricanes on December 16, before returning home to ENGIE Stadium for a blockbuster Sydney Smash on December 20.

Wes Agar, Tom Andrews, Ravichandran Ashwin (IND), 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, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner