Big Bash League to make history with inaugural match in Chennai
India and Australia have announced a new sports cooperation roadmap, with the opening match of the men's Big Bash League (BBL) set to be played in Chennai in December this year. The announcement came during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, as part of Modi's two-day visit to Australia.
This will be the first time a foreign cricket league holds a match in India. The event will be part of a week-long festival called 'G'Day Namaste', to be held across India in December, featuring Australian cultural, business, and sports events. The festival aims to promote Australia's economic priorities outlined in 'A New Roadmap for Australia's Economic Engagement with India'.
The two leaders also unveiled a roadmap for sports cooperation, which, according to a statement from the Australian Prime Minister's office, will 'leverage Australia's experience and India's ambitions to host major sporting events, creating opportunities to increase our trade, tourism and investment ties'. The roadmap sets priorities in areas such as capacity building, sports science and technology research, industry, and investment.
The agreement is expected to enhance cooperation as Australia prepares to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and India prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Amdavad.
Prime Minister Albanese said, 'Australia and India are united by our love and passion for sport. This sports roadmap will focus on practical priority areas such as capability building, technology and research to strengthen this cornerstone of our bilateral relationship. I am excited to expand cooperation with India on sport, which not only brings joy to Australians but boosts trade, tourism and investment.'
Prime Minister Modi remarked, 'Sport is a key pillar of the India-Australia partnership, bringing our people closer through shared passion and mutual respect. Delighted to visit the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with PM Albanese. More sporting exchanges, youth engagement and collaboration can further strengthen the India-Australia friendship.'
During the event, the leaders interacted with young athletes participating in exhibition games of kabaddi, Australian football, and cricket. The gathering at the MCG included Australian sporting legends such as Steve Waugh and Lisa Sthalekar, as well as the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan.
Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell noted, 'The Australia-India relationship is vital for our shared economic prosperity, supporting farmers, jobs and businesses across Australia. Major sporting events are huge opportunities for Australian tourism, bringing tens of thousands of new tourists to our shores and this roadmap will help us make the most of the green and gold decade.'
Australian Minister for Sport Anika Wells said, 'India and Australia share a significant and meaningful connection through sport, particularly cricket, and this roadmap will take that relationship to the next stage. The Australian sports ecosystem is actively sharing knowledge and expertise with our Indian counterparts, including through the Australian Sports Commission and our national sporting bodies. We are excited to further deepen that engagement as we count down to the Amdavad 2030 Commonwealth Games and Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.'
Modi, who is on a three-nation trip, concluded his visit to Australia on Friday and travelled to New Zealand. He had earlier visited Indonesia in the first leg of the journey.
