NEW DELHI: Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is set to turn out for Sydney Thunder in the upcoming Big Bash League, becoming the first marquee Indian cricketer to participate in the tournament.

According to a report by Fox Sports, the 39-year-old, who recently bid farewell to both international cricket and the Indian Premier League, has agreed to join the Thunder.

An official confirmation from the franchise is expected later this week.

Ashwin has also registered for the ILT20 auction and, once it concludes on January 4, he is expected to link up with Sydney Thunder for the latter stages of the Big Bash League, which runs from December 14 to January 18.

Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg personally approached Ashwin earlier this month to discuss the prospect of him featuring in the BBL.

The development follows Ashwin’s decision to retire from the IPL last month, which has made him a free agent in franchise cricket and cleared the path for him to explore overseas T20 leagues.

The BCCI bars active Indian players from taking part in foreign leagues while still involved with the national side or the IPL.

Since Ashwin did not register for this year's BBL overseas draft, Cricket Australia will need to grant him an exemption, similar to the late approval that allowed Martin Guptill to join Melbourne Renegades in 2022.

Ashwin had called time on his international career during India's tour of Australia in December last year.

A decorated career saw him become the country's second-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 537 scalps, behind only Anil Kumble's 619.

In the IPL, Ashwin featured in 221 matches, picking up 187 wickets at 30.22 with best figures of 4/34. He also contributed 833 runs with the bat, including a highest score of 50.

(With PTI Inputs)