Big Bash League and the Women's Big Bash League will be available live in Hindi

Blockbuster T20 tournament, Big Bash League, is back with its latest edition and is leaving no stone unturned to widen its already strong fans base. After attracting record crowds to the stadium last year, the BBL has now chalked out plans to engage more TV viewers by catering the Indian community living in Australia.

To materialise this plan, it has decided to have Hindi commentary for the three derby matches in the upcoming sixth season of the Big Bash League 2016-17 and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) will be made available live in Hindi, a release stated on Monday (December 19).

The three games are the season opener between Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers on December 20 and the Melbourne Derby double header (WBBL-BBL) between the Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars on January 7.

“The initiative is a result of the partnership between Cricket Australia and Indian Link Media Group that saw every ball of last year’s KFC T20 INTL Series between Australia and India made available in Hindi,” the release said.

“Through our broadcast partners, both here in Australia and around the world, as well as our own digital channels, Cricket Australia has made the BBL and WBBL more accessible to our fans no matter where they are.” Ben Amarfio, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager, Media, Communications and Marketing said.

“We want to be a sport for all Australians and initiatives such as this are a key part of our strategy to embrace multicultural Australia.”

Anthony Everard, Cricket Australia’s BBL head added: “We take great pride in the quality and excitement generated throughout the coverage of our BBL and WBBL matches. This is an exciting addition to our existing suite of options and adds further diversity of choice for our many thousands of Hindi speaking fans.”

The initiative of Hindi commentary will not be limited to the BBL and will extend to the T20 International between Australia and Sri Lanka and also the Australia Women’s game against New Zealand, which will be held at the MCG on February 17, 2017.

“After the success of last year’s Hindi commentary it is great to be a part of this initiative by Cricket Australia,” said Pawan Luthra, CEO of Indian Link. “Indian Australians of all ages have a passion for cricket and this is a great opportunity for them to hear the phenomenon that is the BBL and WBBL live in their own language.”

“With two Indian cricketers – Harmanpreet Kaur and Smiriti Mandana – now a part of WBBL action it seems that domestic cricket in Australia has got even more to offer to its ever growing fan base.”