‘Cricket Australia eyeing India’s market is natural’

IPL chairman Arun Dhumal believes Cricket Australia’s decision to bring the Big Bash League to India is a natural step given the country’s status as the world’s biggest cricket market.

The BBL opener is set to be played at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium in December, as Cricket Australia looks to tap into the sport’s largest audiences.

Dhumal said India’s position in world cricket made it an obvious destination for overseas leagues seeking to expand their reach.

“See, India is the biggest cricket market. So definitely, Cricket Australia would want to capitalize on that,” Dhumal told PTI Videos.

“And we wish them all the best for their Big Bash inaugural game this season.”

The IPL chairman viewed the move as a positive development for cricket at a time when the sport is preparing for its return to the Olympic Games at LA 2028.

“India, being the leader in world cricket, has a lot of scope to add to world cricket,” he said.

“Since now cricket is becoming part of Olympics, it augurs very well for the game, for its global footprint to reach to the length and breadth across the globe.”

Dhumal believes Cricket Australia would have carefully assessed the commercial and sporting benefits of taking the BBL to India.

“I’m sure they would have done their calculations and they are expecting a good boost to their domestic tournament,” he said.