Sydney Thunder Set for Historic Pakistan-India Spin Partnership in BBL

Sporting diplomacy between Pakistan and India may have faltered during the 2025 Asia Cup, but a renewed effort could soon emerge, in the most unexpected of arenas: the Big Bash League (BBL). Reports suggest that Ravichandran Ashwin is close to signing a deal with Sydney Thunder, which would see him share a dressing room with Pakistan’s Shadab Khan.

Ashwin, now eligible for franchise cricket following his international retirement, remains one of the most decorated spinners in modern cricket.

Although the deal has yet to be officially announced, Australian outlets Sydney Morning Herald and Code Sports report that the 39-year-old off-spinner has agreed to terms with Thunder for the 2025/26 season, making him the first capped Indian cricketer to appear in the BBL. Ashwin has already entered the ILT20 auction and is expected to join the BBL in its latter stages.

For Pakistani fans, the most intriguing subplot will be Ashwin’s potential partnership with Shadab Khan at Thunder. Both spinners are renowned for their tactical acumen and attacking flair, and together they could form one of the most exciting bowling duos in franchise cricket. Thunder, runners-up in the previous edition, already boast a star-studded lineup featuring David Warner, Pat Cummins, Lockie Ferguson, and rising talent Sam Konstas. They secured Pakistan’s T20I vice-captain in the auction earlier this year.

Shadab Khan is currently recovering from shoulder surgery on his bowling arm, and Thunder’s move for Ravichandran Ashwin may be aimed at bolstering their spin options in case of an emergency.

Ashwin’s presence in the BBL also sets the stage for potential matchups against Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, rekindling rivalries that have lit up international cricket.

If confirmed, Ashwin’s signing won’t just be a landmark moment for the BBL, it could be a symbolic breakthrough in cricket diplomacy. Seeing an Indian and Pakistani spinner weave magic together in Australia’s premier T20 league might just remind fans that sport still has the power to unite, even when politics cannot.

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