Australia Cricket Board is preparing to take advantage of the huge cricket fanbase present in India. According to media reports, the first match of the next season of Big Bash League (BBL 2026-27) can be held in India. It is being told that two senior officials of Cricket Australia had recently visited India. There is discussion about holding the first match in Chennai.
According to a report by Australian sports channel SEN Cricket, Cricket Australia’s Head of Business Operations, Phil Rigby and Head of Competition Development Margot Harley had recently reached Chennai. According to the report, Australia now wants to target the Indian and South Asian markets. At present Chennai is being seen as a possible venue.
If the first match of BBL 2026-27 is held in India, then it will not be the first time that matches of an Australian league will be organized in a foreign country. Before this, Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL) organizes some of its matches in Las Vegas (America) under a 5-year deal lasting till 2028. It is believed that this strategy of NRL has been very effective so far.
Will BBL matches be organized in India or not? Many approvals are going to be required before the final decision on this is taken. For this, Cricket Australia (CA) will also need approval from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and broadcasters. Perth Scorchers can be one of those teams whose matches can be held in Chennai, because Indian businessmen have been showing special interest in this team.
SA20 and Major League Cricket have already targeted the Indian fanbase. Most of the teams playing in these leagues are owned by IPL franchises. Due to which these leagues have directly targeted the Indian market.
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