Cricket Australia is weighing up the prospect of staging a Big Bash League fixture in India next season as part of a strategic push to strengthen the tournament’s commercial footprint in the world’s biggest cricket market, according to a report by Sen Cricket.
The report states that CA’s Head of Business Operations Phil Rigby and Head of Competition Development and Strategy Margot Harley recently travelled to India to explore the feasibility and logistics of an offshore match. Chennai has reportedly emerged as a potential venue, with discussions centred on operational details and stakeholder approvals.
The proposed move comes at a time when CA is understood to be preparing for the potential sale of at least two of the BBL’s eight franchises. Taking a match to India is seen as a way to generate investor interest and deepen commercial ties ahead of any ownership changes.
“Head of business operations Phil Rigby and head of competition development and strategy Margot Harley flew to India as discussions ramp up around the logistics of an offshore game,” the report said.
The Perth Scorchers have been identified as a logical candidate to feature in the proposed fixture, given the alignment of time zones and the reported openness of WACA officials to engage with Indian investors. However, the plan remains at an exploratory stage and would require approvals from key stakeholders, including broadcasters and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The BBL is widely regarded as one of the leading T20 leagues globally, and Perth Scorchers are its most successful side. They claimed their sixth title in the 2025-26 season after defeating the Sydney Sixers in the final, moving ahead of franchise heavyweights such as the Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Trinbago Knight Riders in overall T20 title count.
While no formal agreement has been reached, the discussions underline CA’s intent to expand the BBL’s reach and embed the competition more firmly within the Indian market.
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