‘I’m gutted’: Thunder signing Ravi Ashwin ruled out of entire BBL campaign

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Indian star Ravichandran Ashwin’s Big Bash campaign is over before it began, with the Sydney Thunder confirming the veteran spinner has undergone knee surgery and will miss the entire season.

One of the Big Bash’s biggest signings in history, Ashwin will take no part for the Thunder this season after undergoing knee surgery, having injured himself while training in Chennai ahead of the upcoming Big Bash season.

The Thunder confirmed on Tuesday evening the 39-year-old off-spinner, who took 537 wickets for India across 106 Test matches, had informed the franchise of his unavailability.

“Sydney Thunder sends its best wishes to Ravichandran Ashwin as he recovers from surgery to his knee that has ruled him out of [this season’s Big Bash],” read a club statement.

“The club is working closely with him on a revised schedule of activity during BB15, pending the progress of his recovery.”

Ashwin was expected to play between three and five regular-season games for the Thunder after coming on board as the league’s first Indian player.

The BCCI does not allow active Indian international players to play in overseas T20 leagues. Ashwin has stepped away from the Indian Premier League after 16 seasons and announced his international retirement in December during the Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia.

In a statement, Ashwin said: “I’m gutted to miss BBL15. My focus now is recovery and coming back stronger.

“I’m grateful to the Thunder family and the fans for the warmth they’ve already shown me. Trent [Copeland] and the entire management made me feel part of the club from our very first conversation.

“If rehab and travel plans allow, I’d love to be around the group later in the season and meet the fans. Wishing both Thunder teams a big year.”

Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said in a statement: “Everyone at Sydney Thunder was devastated to learn of Ash’s knee injury that has ruled him out of BBL15 and we wish him well in his recovery.

“From the moment we first spoke with Ash, his commitment to Thunder was clear.”