Ravi Ashwin’s BBL Move Could Pave Way for More Indian Players, Says Clarke

Ravi Ashwin became the first-ever Indian player to sign for Australia’s Big Bash League, joining the Sydney Thunder franchise and becoming one of the highest-paid overseas players in the league.

This move is seen as one of the most significant in franchise cricket history. Michael Clarke believes it could encourage the BCCI to open the door for more Indian players to participate in the BBL in the future.

“Ravi Ashwin has been an amazing player for India and in the IPL, and he’s done a lot for the game. So, I think having him come and play in the Australian domestic league, the BBL, could open doors—not just for retired players but also for those not involved in the Indian Test series while the BBL is on. I hope the BCCI will slowly open that door so players can continue playing cricket,” Clarke said on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast.

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Michael Clarke’s Take on Ashwin’s Move

Clarke also highlighted the strength and depth of the Indian cricket team, especially their young players gaining valuable experience handling pressure through tournaments like the IPL.

“There’s a T20 World Cup around the corner in February, and even One Day cricket now. I think opposition teams need to find ways to put pressure back on this Indian team because they’re just too good. These young players come through tournaments like the IPL, learning how to handle pressure from a young age.”

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India’s Emerging Dominance and Pressure Handling

Clarke believes India’s ability to perform under pressure gives them a major advantage, making them tough opponents in upcoming events like the T20 World Cup and ODIs. He contrasts this with Australia’s traditional strength in winning World Cups by managing pressure but acknowledges that Indian players are now developing these winning traits early in their careers.

“One of Australia’s cricketing strengths for a long time has been winning and dominating World Cups—dealing with maximum pressure, executing, and winning, not just making finals. Indian young players are learning these traits early through the IPL, playing in front of packed stadiums and TV coverage,” Clarke concluded.

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