The BBL season opener will make history as Chennai hosts Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers in the first-ever Big Bash League match to be played in India.
For the first time, the Big Bash League (BBL) is set to be played outside Australia, with the season opener played between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers, to be hosted in Chennai.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) along with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to celebrate India-Australia Sporting ties.
The event featured several Australian legends, including former cricketer Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar. It highlighted the growth of the sport, cultural exchanges between the nations, and connections as part of the India-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.
During the event, PM Modi and Albanese jointly unveiled the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap aimed at expanding cooperation in sports training and capacity.
“There’s certainly been interest from time to time at the state government level and at the venue level, and with some of our clubs to imagine what that could look like bringing an IPL game out here,” said Alistair Dobson, executive general manager of Big Bash leagues.
“The IPL’s next level, isn’t it, – and it would bring an amazing connection. We’ve already seen the hype around an NFL game in Melbourne,” added Dobson.
“It’s not necessarily connected to this event or this initiative, but the opportunity to have those discussions when the time’s right, I’m sure we’d be open to that, as would everyone across Australian cricket, because the IPL’s got a huge following already in Australia.”
The Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers will fly to India straight after the sixth round of Sheffield Shield matches finishes on December 06, meaning players involved in that competition will have around four days to prepare on the ground in Chennai.
Both teams will then have an extended gap before thier second fixture on returning to Australia, with the full BBL fixture to be unveiled in the upcoming week.
