BBL 2026, cricket news: Big Bash League in India, Chennai poised to host season opener, which teams, video
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has reportedly given the green light for Cricket Australia to launch next summer’s Big Bash League in India.
According to multiple reports, Chennai’s M.A Chidambaram Stadium is poised to host the 2026/27 BBL opener in mid-December after CA got the tick of approval from the BCCI and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. However, the fixture needs approval at government level before it can be locked in.
Watch the Bangladesh v Pakistan Test series from 8–12 May and 16–20 May, streaming Live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS available on Kayo | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >
It is currently unclear which teams will feature in the blockbuster match, but the Perth Scorchers, Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades appear to be the frontrunners.
According to The Indian Express, a five-member CA delegation attended Monday’s IPL game between the Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad to recce the venue.
Get all the latest cricket news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now >
One of the Big Bash clubs would need to sacrifice a home game for the match to go ahead, but participating in the marquee contest would attract plenty of eyeballs from the massive Indian market.
Active Indian cricketers are banned from participating in the BBL, but former Test spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was poised to joined the Thunder last summer before a season-ending knee injury.
Meanwhile, Chennai is prone to rain and flooding at the end of the year due to monsoon season, which threatens to derail the event.
The news comes as CA grapples with the BBL’s potential privitisation, where stakes in multiple clubs could be purchased by Indian conglomerates.
