Melbourne Renegades are set to start the 2026-27 Big Bash League (BBL) season by facing Perth Scorchers in Chennai in December. The opening match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on December 12 will mark the first BBL game held outside Australia, launching the BBL 16 season. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed the fixture during a joint visit to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
“I am happy that a Big Bash League match will be hosted in Chennai, India. Hosting a match in India for any league guarantees a massive reach and viewership,” expressed PM Modi during the announcement. India and Australia collaborated to secure the fixture, partly funded by a grant from the Centre of Australia-India Relations to enhance ties between the two nations.
Chennai was selected as the venue for the game by the BCCI and Australian Consul-General Silai Zaki due to the city’s profound love for cricket and its allegiance to the Chennai Super Kings, the most popular IPL team on social media. This move makes the BBL the first foreign cricket league to bring a game to India, expanding its global presence beyond Australia.
Alistair Dobson, CA’s general manager of Big Bash Leagues, emphasized the significance of playing in India, highlighting the BBL’s international appeal and support. He stated, “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 for both our countries.”
Australian networks will dispatch commentary teams to Chennai, and JioStar will broadcast the match for Indian audiences. Cricket Australia aims to fill the 38,000-seat stadium for the season opener, offering packages for traveling fans to attend the historic event.
