BBL in India? Cricket Australia planning to hold Big Bash League 16 season opener in Chennai: Reports
The Big Bash League is Australia’s premier T20 competition.
The Big Bash League is Australia’s premier domestic T20 cricket tournament, featuring eight city-based franchises. BBL is known for its entertaining, high-energy format, which attracts large crowds, fireworks, music, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Launched in 2011, the BBL has become a staple of the Australian summer cricket season, blending top local talent with international stars. It has seen growing popularity in Australia through record attendances in recent seasons and strong broadcast numbers, despite the absence of international Australian players due to national commitments.
Globally, especially in India, the BBL enjoys a massive following due to the huge Indian diaspora, overlapping T20 fanbase, and visibility of players who also feature in the IPL.
Cricket Australia planning to hold BBL opener in Chennai
This makes it a key platform for Australian cricket to tap into the world’s largest cricket market. This latest development marks a bold strategic move by Cricket Australia to deepen engagement and enter the Indian market. Reports indicate that CA is actively exploring hosting the opener of the next BBL season in Chennai, India.
Two senior CA officials, namely Phil Rigby (Head of Business Operations) and Margot Harley (Head of Competition Development and Strategy), recently visited India to evaluate logistics, feasibility, and venue options.
The plan focuses on staging one regular-season match annually in Chennai to boost the league’s global appeal, similar to how the Australian NRL has successfully taken games to Las Vegas for market expansion.
This comes amid CA’s push to privatize parts of the BBL, with at least two of the eight franchises expected to be sold soon. The move aims to attract investment, including potential interest from Indian businessmen.
The Perth Scorchers are seen as a strong candidate for the Chennai game due to favorable time-zone alignment. However, the proposal is still in early stages and far from confirmed. It requires approvals from multiple stakeholders, including the BCCI, broadcasters, and other league partners.
Why is Chennai being considered for a BBL opener?
Cricket Australia aims to tap into India’s massive cricket market and diaspora, similar to other leagues hosting games overseas to build global audiences.
Will India host the Big Bash League 16 season opener?
No. The proposal is in early discussion stages and requires approvals from stakeholders, including the BCCI, broadcasters, and franchise partners.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.