Australia’s Big Bash League will begin its new season on Indian soil for the first time, with the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers set to meet in Chennai on December 12.
Tickets have gone on sale for the opening match of KFC BBL|16 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, commonly known as Chepauk, marking a departure from the competition’s traditional Australian summer schedule.
The decision to stage the season opener in India takes the Australian domestic Twenty20 competition into one of cricket’s largest markets, where the Indian Premier League has established a substantial following.
A limited first allocation of tickets has been
A limited first allocation of tickets has been released, with further tickets expected to become available shortly. Cricket Australia is also offering four-day and 12-day travel packages for international visitors through its travel office, combining match tickets and merchandise with visits to Chennai.
The match will be broadcast live in Australia on the Seven Network and Fox Cricket, with commentary teams travelling to Chennai. JioStar will carry the game for Indian audiences.
Cricket Australia Executive General Manager of Big Bash Leagues Alistair Dobson said the organisation was looking forward to taking the competition to Indian supporters.
Putting on a big show in front
“Putting on a big show in front of packed crowds is what makes the BBL special, and we can’t wait to bring an authentic Big Bash experience to Chennai,” Dobson said.
The Renegades and Scorchers will open the competition at a venue closely associated with Indian cricket and the IPL’s Chennai Super Kings.
Dobson said supporters could expect a competitive contest between the two Australian franchises.
Taking a regular-season fixture overseas represents a new approach to attracting international audiences and building recognition for the league outside Australia
“With world class players and household names across both squads, fans can expect explosive hitting, match-changing moments and an unforgettable day of BBL action,” he said.
The Chennai fixture also provides an opportunity
The Chennai fixture also provides an opportunity for Cricket Australia to introduce the Big Bash directly to Indian spectators, rather than relying exclusively on television audiences.
India has long been an important market for Australian cricket, although the Big Bash has operated primarily as a domestic competition, with its matches staged at Australian venues.
Cricket Australia has not provided attendance projections for the match, but Dobson said early interest had been encouraging.
We’ve been thrilled with the amount of local
“We’ve been thrilled with the amount of local interest to date and can’t wait to see a full house at Chepauk on December 12,” he said.
The organisation is also encouraging Australian supporters to travel to India for the occasion, with official packages designed around the match.
“We’d love to see Australian fans make the trip. You’ll get a one-of-a-kind BBL experience in one of the world’s most cricket-loving cities. For Australian fans, this is a chance to be part of history and discover Chennai at the same time,” Dobson said.
The December 12 fixture will be the first
The December 12 fixture will be the first occasion on which a Big Bash season has opened outside Australia, giving Chennai an unusual place in the competition’s history as it enters its 16th season.
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