Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg is open to the idea of hosting an England-Australia Test match in India. He said the option should be considered for commercial reasons.
The most recent Ashes series was played in 2025-26. Australia won that series 4-1. The next edition will be held in England in 2027. Both teams will also play a one-off pink ball Test in Melbourne next March. That match will celebrate 150 years of their first meeting. The Ashes won’t be on the line for that game.
Greenberg said CA has a strong relationship with both the ECB and BCCI. His comments came after CA decided to host a BBL match in Chennai this December. That game will be between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers.
An ECB report earlier this year showed the strength of India’s market. English cricket made a profit from a recent white-ball tour by India. But they expect losses in 2027 despite hosting the Ashes. Their revenues depend on high-value series against certain opponents.
Any relocation of a Test would need approval from CA, ECB, and the BCCI. Greenberg believes such a move would strengthen Test cricket’s place in the modern game. But he also acknowledged the packed schedule. He said there are only 365 days in a year. Cricket probably needs an extra month or two for all the content it wants to generate.
What Would India Hosting the BBL and the Ashes Mean for Cricket?
India hosting BBL matches and potentially Ashes Tests would be a major shake-up for world cricket. It shows how the game’s money and power are shifting.
The BBL opener in Chennai this December is a big first step. It’s the first time a BBL match will be played outside Australia. Cricket Australia wants to bring its product to the world’s biggest cricket market. The move has high-level backing too. Both the Australian and Indian Prime Ministers supported the decision.
The bigger idea is moving Ashes Tests to India. Cricket Australia has floated this concept after the BBL experiment. The main reason is money. India’s market is just too valuable to ignore. The ECB expects to make huge profits from a white-ball tour by India. But they expect losses in 2027 even when hosting the Ashes. That tells you everything about where the commercial value lies.
There are also hopes this could revive Test cricket. The format faces challenges with T20 leagues everywhere. Taking the Ashes to India could attract a new generation of fans. The 150th anniversary match in Melbourne next year could be a test case. It’s already a pink-ball Test, which has annoyed some traditionalists.
The impact would be huge. India would become the undisputed commercial center of cricket. Future hosting rights for other big series could tilt further in India’s favor.
But there are major challenges too. The biggest one is tradition. The Ashes is special because of England and Australia rivalry. Moving it to a neutral country could dilute that. Fans in both nations might react strongly.
There’s also the practical problem of scheduling. The calendar is already jam-packed. Greenberg himself said there are only 365 days in a year. Finding space for a five-day Test in India’s crowded schedule would be very tough. These ideas show cricket is changing fast.
Chennai Named Host for BBL 2026-27 Season Opener
The Big Bash League 2026-27 season will kick off in India for the first time ever. The opening match will be played at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium on December 12. Melbourne Renegades will be the designated home team. They will face Perth Scorchers, the defending champions and most successful BBL team with six titles.
Cricket Australia’s general manager Alistair Dobson said they are hugely excited by this opportunity. He expects this to be the most-watched Australian domestic league game in any sport. He also said the BBL has its own unique flavor. They want to bring that to India and strengthen interest in the competition.
This is the first BBL match to be staged in India. However, Australian teams have previously played in India during the now-defunct Champions League Twenty20. Perth Scorchers featured in that tournament three times but never won it.
The decision reflects the league’s growing global appeal. It also shows its ambition to expand into one of the world’s biggest cricket markets. Mitchell Marsh and Cooper Connolly, who played in IPL 2026, are part of the Scorchers squad.
FAQs
Q. Where will the 2026-27 BBL season opener be played?
A. The BBL season opener will be played in Chennai, India.
Q. Which teams will play in the BBL opener?
A. Melbourne Renegades will face Perth Scorchers.
Q. Will the 2027 Ashes be played in India?
A. No. The 2027 Ashes will be played in England.
Q. What is needed to move an Ashes Test to India?
A. It would need approval from Cricket Australia, the ECB, and the BCCI.
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.
