Ashwin out of BBL15 and Hong Kong Sixes with knee injury

Ravichandran Ashwin has been ruled out of the upcoming Big Bash League season and the Hong Kong Sixes after suffering a knee injury while training in Chennai, the veteran Indian offspinner announced. Ashwin said he underwent a medical procedure and will spend the coming weeks on rehabilitation, a development that removes him from Sydney Thunder's squad for BBL15 and from India's Hong Kong Sixes line-up scheduled for November 7 to 9.

In an Instagram post, Ashwin said he was "gutted" to miss BBL15 and that his "focus now is recovery and coming back stronger." He added that, if rehabilitation and travel arrangements permit and doctors approve, he would like to be with the Thunder later in the season in a nonplaying capacity to meet fans, but made no firm promise. Sydney Thunder confirmed the player would not take part in the tournament after the procedure.

Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said the club was "devastated" by the injury and wished Ashwin well in his recovery. Copeland added the club hoped to welcome him into the dugout for part of the campaign and build a long-term relationship, while stressing the team had prepared two competitive squads and expected to remain...