Cricket Australia (CA) has opened the door to the possibility of hosting Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in Australia, underlining the growing commercial partnership between the two cricketing powerhouses.
The development comes just weeks after it was confirmed that the opening match of the 2026-27 Big Bash League (BBL) season, between the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers, will be staged in Chennai, marking the first official BBL fixture to be played outside Australia. The historic move is widely seen as a major step in strengthening cricket’s commercial footprint in India, the sport’s biggest market.
Speaking to India Today, a Cricket Australia spokesperson acknowledged India’s enormous influence on the global cricket economy and suggested that an IPL fixture or an India bilateral match in Australia could become a reality in the future.
“Australian Cricket works collaboratively with all our ICC partners including India for the good of the game. We acknowledge the strong economic impact India has on cricket and how the Indian team’s touring schedule, particularly, benefits other ICC member nations through increased broadcast revenue.”
“We are very pleased to be showcasing the BBL to Indian audiences and don’t rule out the possibility of an IPL or Indian bilateral game being played in Australia at some stage.”
NO ASHES IN INDIA
The Cricket Australia spokesperson, meanwhile, dismissed speculation over the possibility of staging an Ashes Test in India. Earlier, Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg had told the BBC’s Stumped podcast that the board would be open to exploring the idea of hosting the landmark 150th anniversary Ashes Test in India next year.
The spokesperson, however, clarified that the suggestion arose during a podcast discussion and stressed that there are currently no plans to stage the historic fixture outside Australia or England.
“The idea of playing an Ashes Test was raised by a podcast interviewer, and there are no plans in place to do so.”
ATHERTON AGAINST ASHES IN INDIA
Former England captain Michael Atherton had earlier voiced strong opposition to the proposal, arguing that commercial considerations should not come at the expense of one of cricket’s greatest rivalries.
He insisted the Ashes should remain an England-Australia affair, warning that staging a one-off Test in India would dilute the series’ rich tradition and urging administrators to focus on more pressing issues facing the game.
Although the prospect of an IPL match in Australia remains a long-term possibility rather than a concrete plan, Cricket Australia’s willingness to entertain the idea reflects the evolving landscape of global cricket, where commercial opportunities and cross-border collaborations continue to reshape the sport.
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