Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian off-spinner, has been ruled out of the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season due to a knee injury. The 39-year-old, who had signed with the Sydney Thunder, underwent a medical procedure after injuring his knee while training in Chennai. This setback puts his BBL debut on hold.
Ashwin expressed his disappointment in a statement, saying he was "gutted" to miss the BBL and that his focus is now on recovery. He also thanked the Sydney Thunder team and fans for their support. In an open letter to the Thunder fanbase, Ashwin vowed to watch every game and support both the men's and women's teams.
Trent Copeland, the General Manager of Sydney Thunder, said everyone at the club was "devastated" to hear about Ashwin's injury. He acknowledged Ashwin's commitment to the team and expressed hope that he could still be involved with the team in some capacity during the season. "From the moment we first spoke with Ash, his commitment to Thunder was clear," Copeland stated. "We are hopeful of welcoming him into our dugout for part of BBL|15, introducing him to our fans at events and building a long-term relationship".
Ashwin's signing with the Sydney Thunder was considered a landmark moment, as he was set to become the first male Indian player to participate in the BBL. The injury not only impacts his BBL season but also forced him to withdraw from the Hong Kong Sixes tournament scheduled for November 7–9, where he was to be replaced by Robin Uthappa.
Despite the setback, Ashwin remains optimistic about his recovery. "For now, it's rehab, recovery, and doing the work to come back stronger," he stated. He also expressed his gratitude to the Thunder management for their support, saying, "From my first chat with the club, I have felt only warmth".
The Sydney Thunder remains hopeful that Ashwin can join the team later in the season if his rehabilitation progresses well and doctors approve. In the meantime, the team is focused on the upcoming WBBL|11 and BBL|15 seasons, aiming to build on their progress from recent years.
