Reports: Big Bash League set for historic first as Cricket Australia eyes India for 16th season opener

The Australia’s franchise tournament, Big Bash League is set to be held in India. Australia is considering staging next season’s BBL opener in India for their 16th edition. Perth Scorchers have won it record for the sixth time since its inception in 2011.

According to The Indian Express that two senior Cricket Australia staff members, head of business operations Phil Rigby and head of competition development and strategy Margot Harley, were in India to explore the possibility of a city like Chennai hosting a BBL game. This push to hold a BBL game on Indian shores comes amid conversations surrounding the sale of at least two of their eight Big Bash franchises.

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The report added that while BBL clubs have not been officially briefed by Cricket Australia about the idea to host a game in India, clubs are aware of CA’s desire. The idea, if CA decides to pursue it, will also be contingent upon the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the BBL’s broadcasters giving the go ahead. Unlike the BBL’s Indian counterpart, the Indian Premier League, BBL has two cities, Sydney and Melbourne, that have two franchises each, which give rise to local derbies.

Meanwhile, Australia are out of the T20 World Cup 2026 campaign in the group stage where they have won one game so far in three games they have played. They are placed in Group B alongside Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman. They have lost to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Australia began their campaign with 67-run over Ireland on the back of great bowling from Nathan Ellis and Adam Zampa. Then they lost to Zimbabwe by 23 runs failing to chase 170. Brian Bennett scored 64* to carry the Zimbabwe scoring in the game. Matt Renshaw was the lone batter who scored 65 but could not take his team home. They lost to Sri Lanlka recently, where Pathum Nissanka’s century took Sri lanka to victory and Super Eights even though Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head.