New Delhi, Sept. 25 -- Ravichandran Ashwin emphasized on the mental clarity with captain David Warner as the 39-year-old became the first high-profile Indian cricketer to join the Australia Big Bash League on Thursday. Although the Indian women cricketers are allowed to play in foreign T20 franchise leagues, the BCCI doesn't allow the male players outside the country while being an active cricketer with the BCCI.

Ashwin's BBL stint came after the Indian spinner retired from international cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), thus cutting off all the ties with the BCCI. Sydney Thunder, who missed on a BBL title last season after losing the final to Hobart Hurricanes, called Ashwin their "biggest overseas signing since the League's ...