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New Delhi: Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin's hopes of playing in the Big Bash League were dashed following a knee surgery.
The off-spinner's BBL franchise Sydney Thunder issued a statement announcing his withdrawal on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old retired from India duty last year and signed for Sydney in September, becoming the first star Indian player to join the league.
He ended his Indian Premier League (IPL) career in August, making himself free from th Board of Control for Cricket in India's restrictions that bar its men's national team players from participating in franchise cricket elsewhere around the wrold.
"I'm gutted to miss BBL," Ashwin said in a statement issued by his BBL team on Tuesday.
"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."
"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.”
Ashwin disclised that he he hurt his knee during preparations for the BBL season that required surgery.
"Everyone at Sydney Thunder was devastated to learn of Ash’s knee injury that has ruled him out of BBL, and we wish him well in his recovery," Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said.
Ashwin went unsold at the players' auction in the UAE's International League T20 and had committed to play for the entire BBL season.
