The prospect of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches being staged in Australia has moved a step closer after Cricket Australia reportedly opened discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the idea of bringing the tournament to Australian shores. While no agreement has been reached, the proposal reflects an ambition to deepen the relationship between the two boards beyond bilateral cricket, according to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald.
The discussions remain at an early stage and neither Cricket Australia nor the BCCI has publicly commented on the proposal. However, the move highlights Cricket Australia’s long-term vision of strengthening franchise cricket links with India through reciprocal opportunities for both competitions.
Reciprocal franchise cricket under discussion
Two anonymous sources familiar with the private discussions told the Sydney Morning Herald that Cricket Australia had extended an “open invitation” to the BCCI to consider reciprocal IPL matches in Australia.
The report states that Cricket Australia also hopes the Big Bash League’s planned season opener in Chennai can become an annual event, creating a regular exchange between the two competitions rather than a one-off occasion.
If realised, an IPL fixture in Australia would mark another significant step in the tournament’s international expansion. Although IPL matches have previously been played outside India in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, Australia has never hosted a game from the competition.
Chennai opener provides the backdrop
As previously reported by cricexec, the Melbourne Renegades will face Perth Scorchers at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on December 12, becoming the first overseas franchise T20 league to stage a match in India.
That fixture has become the foundation for broader discussions between the two cricket boards, with Cricket Australia viewing it as an opportunity to establish a more enduring partnership centred on franchise cricket rather than relying solely on international tours.
Broader ambitions beyond a single match
The report states that the discussions are the result of engagement involving Cricket Australia, the BCCI and both governments over several years, reflecting an effort to develop a more consistent long-term relationship around cricket.
The proposal also aligns with wider ambitions to strengthen commercial and sporting collaboration between India and Australia. Alongside the Chennai fixture, the two countries have announced a Sports Collaboration Roadmap covering areas including coaching, sports science, technology, sports industry development and youth engagement.
A stronger exchange between the IPL and BBL could also create new opportunities for franchise cricket internationally. One longer-term objective linked to these discussions is the potential revival of the Champions League T20, with growing audiences for domestic leagues in overseas markets viewed as an important factor in any future return of the competition.
Proposal remains at an early stage
For now, the discussions remain exploratory, with no confirmation that an IPL match will be staged in Australia.
However, Cricket Australia’s reported interest in hosting the world’s biggest franchise league signals how its relationship with Indian cricket is evolving beyond traditional bilateral engagements, with reciprocal franchise cricket emerging as a potential next phase if discussions progress.
