R Ashwin To Play With Babar Azam? Teams That Could Target Ex-CSK Star For BBL 15

Anurag Dasgupta

Ashwin to play with Babar? [Source: @SixersBBL, @Cricbuzz/x.com]Ashwin to play with Babar? [Source: @SixersBBL, @Cricbuzz/x.com]

Former India cricketer, Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently announced his IPL retirement is reportedly interested in playing in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL). According to reports, Cricket Australia’s CEO, Todd Greenberg, has reached out to Ashwin for his potential involvement in the BBL season.

Greenberg is keen on bringing the India spinner in Australia for the marquee T20 league:

“To get someone with Ashwin’s credentials and to come over here for the BBL will be great at so many levels. He is a champion cricketer who will bring a lot to the Big Bash and to our cricket summer,” Greenberg stated.

Several BBL sides would be interested in R Ashwin if the spinner decides to bring in his expertise. Here are 3 teams that can go after Ashwin if an opportunity arises.

1) Sydney Sixers

The Sydney Sixers play their home match at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), and over the years, the surface there has witnessed a sharp drop in pace, with the ball even gripping for the spinners. As the BBL season progresses, the SCG surface might tend to slow down, and someone like Ashwin could be quite handy.

Plus, looking at the Sixers' side, the team only has one decent spinner in Todd Murphy, and hence, the Sixers might need a bit of experience in the spin-bowling department, and Ashwin’s presence would do wonders for the team. He has a T20I economy of 7.13 at SCG, and the spinner already knows the ground at the back of his hands. If Ashwin joins Sixers, he would join hands with Pakistan batter, Babar Azam, who was drafted by the team in Platinum category.

2) Melbourne Stars

The advantage of playing for Melbourne Stars is the fact that MCG, their home ground, is one of the largest stadiums in the world, and the opposition batters tend to find it difficult to clear the fence. Ashwin is a street-smart spinner, and he would use his variations to trick the batters at this venue.

Plus, the team has a quality leg-spinner in Mitchell Swepson, but they do not have a quality off-break bowler, and Ashwin could fulfil that role.

3) Adelaide Strikers

Apart from the SCG, Adelaide is another Australian venue that has lost considerable pace in the last few years and assists the spinners. Hence, the Strikers could target him for the upcoming season. The Adelaide team has one decent spinner in Lloyd Pope, and the team could be desperate to go after a bit of experience in the spin-bowling department. Hence, if Ashwin is available, the team could run after him.