Insisting on the mental clarity and alignment of thoughts with skipper David Warner, Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday became the first capped Indian male cricketer to sign with Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL).

While several India women’s cricketers have played in the WBBL, BCCI rules had until now prevented India men from joining overseas leagues. Only former India Under-19 captain Unmukt Chand, now a USA player, and domestic cricketer Nikhil Chaudhary, who qualifies as a local in Australia, have previously appeared in the BBL.

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Ashwin’s retirement from the IPL earlier this year cleared the path for overseas stints. He has already entered next week’s ILT20 auction at the highest base price. His ILT20 commitments from December 2 to January 4 mean he will

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