Cricket Australia (CA) is exploring the idea of hosting the opening match of the next Big Bash League (BBL) season in India instead of Australia. The Australian cricket board wants to strengthen ties with the Indian market, especially as at least two of the league’s eight franchises are expected to be sold soon.
CA currently owns all eight BBL teams, but the franchises operate under long-term licensing agreements with state associations. If privatization moves forward with state approval, CA plans to sell a 49 per cent stake in each team and give the states equity, creating a major financial boost for Australian cricket.
Cricket Australia Explores Hosting Big Bash League (BBL) Match in India
According to SEN Cricket, Cricket Australia is exploring the possibility of hosting a Big Bash League match in India. Two senior CA officials recently travelled to Chennai to assess whether a regular-season BBL game can be staged there, with discussions centred on logistics and feasibility.
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Phil Rigby, CA’s head of business operations, and Margot Harley, who oversees competition development and strategy, made the visit as talks gathered momentum.
No BBL franchises have been formally briefed so far. However, the Perth Scorchers are viewed as a strong option due to time-zone considerations and interest from WACA officials in potential Indian investment.
BBL Opener in India Still Faces Approval Hurdles
Several Big Bash League clubs are already aware that Cricket Australia wants to host a season opener in India. However, the plan remains uncertain, as approvals would be needed from multiple stakeholders, including broadcasters and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Senior officials believe that staging one BBL match each year in Chennai could help grow the competition, similar to how rugby league expanded by taking games to Las Vegas.
At the same time, Cricket Australia is also revisiting the idea of Christmas Day cricket. Although it has been discussed for years, it has never been implemented in the tournament’s 15 seasons. Current agreements now allow derby matches to be played on the night of December 25.
Cricket Australia Pushes for Christmas Night Big Bash Match
Cricket Australia still wants to stage a Big Bash match on Christmas night and has not dropped the idea. While derby games are usually reserved for special dates, officials remain keen to make this happen next summer.
The focus has shifted to Melbourne, with the soon-to-be floodlit St Kilda Cricket Ground (Junction Oval) now viewed as a suitable venue. The ground has a capacity of fewer than 10,000 spectators, but broadcasters believe the match would perform strongly on television.
Cricket Australia are open to offering incentives to players, including extra match payments or private flights, to encourage participation. The Melbourne Renegades are expected to host the game, with the Hobart Hurricanes discussed as a possible opponent. Any interstate Christmas night fixture would still require player approval.
