Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Ravichandran Ashwin, is more than anything, a statement of excellence in world cricket. He is so much more than a gifted off spinner. For well over a decade, Ashwin put to good effect his prominence and stature as a matchwinner for not just his beloved Indian team, but each of his IPL franchises, whether one speaks of the Punjab side or Rajasthan Royals or even the Chennai outfit. But as seen recently, Ashwin called time on his IPL career, but that was not before spending more than a decade and a half playing India's elite T20 franchise-based competition, Indian Premier League (IPL).
He picked 187 wickets on the whole in his IPL. But now, post his retirement from the IPL, time has come to focus elsewhere, and where it comes to focusing 'elsewhere' in Ashwin parlance- it would mean focusing on global T20 league destinations. One of these destinations is the iconic Big Bash League, aka the BBL. The great Tamil Nadu cricketer is already in talks with the BBL team owners to sign up for the future. Having said that let us explore this space more: what could be the 3 teams which can acquire R Ashwin in BBL?
Here are the three teams that can buy Ravichandran Ashwin in the Big Bash League 2026:
Melbourne Stars
Vastly recognised by the entirety of the cricketing world as the sport's mecca, the home of the Melbourne Stars, is the famed Melbourne Cricket ground. This, one would see, is the largest cricketing ground in all of Australia.
This, therefore, means - and as seen over the years- is a stadium, which the batters tend to find hard where it comes to clear the ropes and the fences. Without much of a doubt, this is something that falls well into the hands of the bowlers.
Could Ravichandran Ashwin, therefore, benefit from this sign-up provided the Stars pick him up for the next BBL season?
His matchwinning experience, as avidly seen in the IPL contests, can benefit a team like the Melbourne Stars, widely noted to be a batting-heavy Aussie franchise.
In someone like Swepson, the Melbourne Stars definitely have the promise and the exuberance of a talented spinner but with Ashwin, they will have a world-class matchwinning talent on board.
Sydney Sixers
As seen in the last few BBL seasons, the Sydney ground, which happens to be the home territory for Sydney Sixers has seen a sharp drop in pace and has, therefore, become more accustomed to offer a great reward for spinners. As far as they contest with great skill. This, one would argue, is something that someone like Ravichandran Ashwin offers with a sense of assurance that would please most cricketers- former and current.
As the new season approaches, Ashwin might benefit from the Sydney ground's surface that may slow down as the season picks up and progresses.
At the moment, the Sydney Sixers camp are contesting with one reasonably effective and skilled spinner in the form of Todd Murphy.
But where it comes to the department of experience, for the lack of better expression, the Sixers could largely benefit by signing up someone like Ravichandran Ashwin.
As far the present context is concerned, Ashwin, once or if picked by the Sydeny Sixers, would likely play alongside Pakistan's Babar Azam, who is a great of the sport.
Adelaide Strikers
One of the 3 teams which can acquire R. Ashwin in the BBL could likely be Adelaide Strikers. As a cricketing venue, however, Adelaide happens to be a bowling friendly destination, of particular scope and interest for fast bowlers and where it stands in the past few seasons, then the spinners.
At the moment, Lloyd Pope happens to be playing for the Strikers in the BBL and the team could actually gain further strength by roping in someone like Ravichandran Ashwin.
