Cricket Australia Hints at Hosting IPL Matches in Australia
Cricket Australia (CA) is considering the possibility of holding Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in Australia, highlighting the growing partnership between these two cricket giants.
This news comes shortly after it was announced that the first match of the 2026-27 Big Bash League (BBL) will take place in Chennai, India, making it the first official BBL game played outside of Australia. This groundbreaking decision is seen as a significant step in expanding cricket’s popularity and commercial value in India, the sport’s largest market.
A spokesperson for Cricket Australia acknowledged India’s massive role in cricket’s global economy. They mentioned that an IPL match or an India series in Australia could be a future possibility. “We work together with our ICC partners, including India, for the benefit of cricket. We understand how important India is to the sport and how the Indian team’s tours help boost broadcast revenues for other nations,” the spokesperson stated.
They added, “We are excited to bring BBL to Indian fans, and we don’t rule out the chance of hosting an IPL or Indian match in Australia in the future.”
Ashes Not Moving to India
In related news, Cricket Australia denied rumors about potentially moving an Ashes Test to India. Previously, Todd Greenberg, the CEO of Cricket Australia, mentioned on a podcast that they would explore the possibility of hosting the 150th anniversary Ashes Test in India next year.
However, the spokesperson clarified that this was just an idea brought up during a podcast discussion, and there are no actual plans to stage the historic matches outside of Australia or England. “The topic came up in conversation, but there are no current plans for it,” they stated.
Former Captain Opposes Ashes in India
Former England captain Michael Atherton has expressed strong opposition to the idea, arguing that financial motivations shouldn’t overshadow one of cricket’s most treasured rivalries. He believes the Ashes should stay strictly an England vs. Australia event, cautioning that hosting a single Test in India could weaken the series’ longstanding tradition. Atherton urged cricket officials to focus on more urgent challenges facing the sport.
While the idea of an IPL match in Australia remains a possibility for the future, Cricket Australia’s openness to this concept reflects the ever-changing world of cricket, where new commercial avenues and international partnerships are shaping the game.
