Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled the historic Big Bash League season opener in Chennai, marking the tournament’s first-ever match outside Australia.
PM Modi, Albanese unveil historic BBL fixture; Chennai to host season opener between Renegades and Scorchers/ Credit: Narendra Modi/Youtube
The 2026-27 Big Bash League (BBL) season will begin with a historic first as the Melbourne Renegades take on the Perth Scorchers in Chennai on December 12, marking the first-ever BBL match to be staged outside Australia.
The landmark fixture at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was unveiled on Friday by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a joint visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The Renegades will be the designated home side for the season-opening clash, which will be played after the fourth day’s play of the first Test between Australia and New Zealand in Perth.
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The Chennai opener will launch the 16th edition of the BBL and make the tournament the first overseas domestic cricket league to stage a match in India.
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“I am happy that a Big Bash League match will be hosted in Chennai, India. Hosting a match in India for any league guarantees massive reach and viewership,” Prime Minister Modi said during the announcement.
The initiative is backed by both the Indian and Australian governments and is partly funded through a grant from the Centre of Australia-India Relations to strengthen sporting and cultural ties between the two nations.
Chennai was selected by the BCCI and Australian Consul-General Silai Zaki, with organisers citing the city’s passionate cricket culture and the immense popularity of the Chennai Super Kings as key reasons behind the decision.
While Australian domestic cricket has never before been played in India, the country has previously hosted overseas franchises through the now-defunct Champions League T20, where teams including the Perth Scorchers, Brisbane Heat and Hobart Hurricanes featured more than a decade ago.
Cricket Australia General Manager of Big Bash Leagues, Alistair Dobson, believes the move underlines the league’s growing international appeal.
“Our sport has such an authentic connection in India. This game is also part of a much bigger initiative across both our governments and shows that cricket is a connector between our countries. We’re hugely excited by the opportunity and expect it to become the most-watched game in Australian domestic league history across any sport,” Dobson said.
Australian broadcasters will send commentary teams to Chennai, while JioStar will televise the match for Indian audiences. Cricket Australia is also targeting a full house at the 38,000-capacity MA Chidambaram Stadium, with travel packages set to be offered for Australian fans planning to attend.
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