New Delhi: In a bid to tap the lucrative market, Cricket Australia (CA) is planning to host Big Bash League (BBL) opening match in India next season for the first-ever time, as per a report in ‘Sen Cricket’. The strategic step from Cricket Australia is part of a bigger strategy to intertwine the profitable Indian market with the country’s league ahead of the new season.

The report further mentions that two of its eight franchises have approached a near-certain sale which certainly is not a good news for CA as well as the existence of BBL. It is also being learnt two senior officials from CA travelled to India recently to chalk out a plan for a game possibly in Chepauk, Chennai.

Another report in Cricbuzz mentions that the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has confirmed receiving a proposal to host the season-opening match of the BBL in Chennai next year. It is mentioned in the report that the TNCA has left the final decision to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

‘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 in Sen Cricket read.

The idea of holding a BBL game in India has been discussed for a long time in Cricket Australia but has never been implemented across the 15 seasons of the tournament. The report said Perth Scorchers appear to be a logical choice to play in India ‘given their time zone and an openness from WACA officials to consider offers from wealthy Indian business figures.’

However a deal is far from complete, given approval would need to be granted from various stakeholders, including broadcasters and the BCCI, it further mentioned.

The Big Bash League is one of the top cricket leagues in the world with Perth Scorchers being the most successful team, having clinched the title six times.