Is Siddharth Kaul the Only Indian in the 600-Plus BBL 2025 Draft?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Siddharth Kaul is the only Indian player in the BBL 2025 draft.
- The draft features over 600 international players.
- James Anderson's registration at age 42 is noteworthy.
- Indian women players are also participating in the WBBL draft.
- The draft highlights the global nature of T20 cricket.
New Delhi, June 17 (NationPress) Pacer Siddharth Kaul stands out as the sole Indian cricketer among a staggering list of over 600 players who have signed up for the forthcoming Big Bash League (BBL) draft, set to take place on June 19. This draft, organized by Cricket Australia, showcases a diverse range of T20 talent, including 178 players from England, 74 from Pakistan, 42 from the West Indies, and 13 from Sri Lanka.
Kaul, a former international representative for India and a seasoned participant in the IPL, aims to rejuvenate his T20 career by landing a contract in Australia’s prestigious franchise league. His position as India’s only male representative in the 2025 BBL draft emphasizes the unusual nature of Indian players competing in international T20 leagues.
Among the notable names in the draft is the legendary English fast bowler James Anderson, who has made headlines by entering the BBL draft at the age of 42. After returning to T20 cricket following an 11-year break, Anderson showcased his skills in the Vitality T20 Blast for Lancashire, achieving impressive figures of 3 for 17 and securing 10 wickets across just four matches.
If selected, Anderson could become the oldest overseas player to participate in the BBL and the second-oldest player in the tournament's history after Brad Hogg.
This marks Anderson’s second endeavor to join a franchise league this year, having previously registered for both the IPL 2025 mega auction and The Hundred draft, where he remained unsold. However, with his recent performance and esteemed reputation, franchises may now be more inclined to take a chance on the veteran.
On the women's front, India will see greater representation with players like Shikha Pandey, Yastika Bhatia, and Jemimah Rodrigues entering the race for the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) draft. The Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers will have the first picks in both the BBL and WBBL drafts, each comprising four rounds per team.