TNCA confirms receiving proposal to host BBL opener in December

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has confirmed receiving a proposal to host the season-opening match of the Big Bash League (BBL) in Chennai. A Cricket Australia (CA) delegation met TNCA officials recently to discuss staging the BBL opener at Chepauk. The TNCA has left the final decision to the BCCI.

A TNCA official stated, "We have heard their proposal and are fully aware of our jurisdiction. The TNCA has left the matter to the BCCI. We have made it clear to the Australian delegation that without BCCI approval, the plan cannot move forward. The ball is in the BCCI court."

If approved, the match would be played in December this year. However, the BCCI has not yet responded to the TNCA and is taking a considered view before making a final decision.

Australian media reports indicate this is part of a strategy to link the Indian market with the BBL ahead of a potential sale of at least two of its eight franchises.

The Perth Scorchers could be one of the teams to feature in the Chennai fixture, if approved, due to favourable time zones—Perth is only two-and-a-half hours ahead of IST. The Scorchers are the defending champions, making them natural contenders for the season opener.

A potential complication is the presence of Pakistani players. The Scorchers do not have any Pakistani players, but the opposing team might. It is not easy for Pakistani players to obtain Indian visas. There were seven Pakistani players in the last BBL season.