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Former India spinner R Ashwin has provided a major fitness update after being ruled out of the upcoming 2025-26 Big Bash League (BBL) season. The 39-year-old, who was signed by the Sydney Thunder, was set to become the first Indian cricketer to feature in the league.However, on Tuesday, November 4, the former Tamil Nadu cricketer shared a post on Instagram, announcing that he would miss the season due to a knee injury sustained during training in Chennai.Now, on Thursday, November 6, during a discussion on his YouTube channel, Ashwin offered further insights into his fitness, revealing that the past 10 days have been extremely painful and that he is still walking on crutches. He said:“What happened was unexpected; I mean, it was actually very painful. The surgical procedure has also been completed. I wanted to keep it under wraps, as obviously, the last 10 days have been very painful. It is still painful, and I am still walking on crutches. It will take time, maybe in three or four months I will be back playing again. I am waiting to play right now.”“You know how it is, we always keep playing. That waiting period will not remain forever. The day I retired, I was expecting the chance to play, to travel, and to experience a different culture, I was expecting that. You know, that is not happening, which is very disappointing, but all these things are for us to learn. For me, this is also a learning curve. Whatever is happening, it happens for good. So, I would like to wait for my opportunity and see after three months how it goes,” he added.Apart from the BBL, Ashwin will also miss the Hong Kong Sixes 2025, scheduled to take place from November 7 to 9 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong.“In a week or two, I will have a little more clarity” - R Ashwin on his hopes of joining the BBL in the same capacityDuring the same discussion, R Ashwin mentioned that the franchise and Cricket Australia want him to join and spend time with the players once the tournament begins, but his health will have to take priority. He added that he will have more clarity in a couple of weeks and said:“Whatever procedure has been done, we have to give it some time to heal. How my body recovers and how far rehab progresses will determine everything. Cricket Australia and Sydney Thunder have given me so much love and have been so accommodating. They still want me to come there, spend time with the players, and obviously work with the spinners, they are asking for all of that. But my condition and my health have to be the first priority. After that, I will decide. In a week or two, I will have a little more clarity.”The 2025-26 BBL season will get underway on December 14.
