Cricket Australia Wants Virat Kohli in BBL, But BCCI’s Stance Remains Firm
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has reignited the long-standing debate over Indian male players participating in overseas T20 leagues. In a recent media interaction, Greenberg expressed a strong desire to see Indian players, especially star batter Virat Kohli, feature in the Big Bash League (BBL) — which he touted as one of the top three T20 leagues globally.
“We would love to welcome some Indian players to the BBL. That’s certainly some conversations that we will continue to have with the BCCI. I would love to see Virat Kohli playing in the BBL this year,” Greenberg said.
He added that Kohli’s presence in the BBL would be a massive draw for fans and TV audiences, sparking interest unlike anything seen in the league’s history.
However, Greenberg was also realistic, acknowledging that such aspirations face significant hurdles — primarily BCCI’s firm stance on not allowing active Indian male cricketers to participate in foreign leagues.
Why BCCI Says No
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has long maintained a strict policy barring Indian male cricketers from overseas franchise leagues. There are several reasons behind this decision:
- Protection of Domestic Cricket: BCCI wants to preserve the integrity and value of domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which serve as key platforms for talent scouting and player development.
- IPL’s Market Dominance: Allowing Indian stars to play in other leagues might dilute the exclusivity and financial might of the IPL, the world’s most lucrative T20 competition.
- Scheduling Conflicts: The BBL typically starts in mid-December, which clashes with India’s domestic T20 season. That makes it difficult for Indian players to commit to both.
- Financial Disparity: Overseas leagues like the BBL might not be able to match the pay packages offered by the IPL, reducing the incentive for BCCI to risk player burnout or injury elsewhere.
What About Indian Women?
Interestingly, BCCI applies a different set of rules for women cricketers. Top Indian players such as Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemimah Rodrigues have been regular fixtures in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) over the past few seasons.
This differential treatment raises questions, but BCCI officials argue that women’s cricket needs global exposure and more playing opportunities, making international league participation beneficial.
Will It Ever Happen?
While Greenberg’s admiration for Indian talent is clear, especially for someone of Virat Kohli’s stature, the BCCI is unlikely to change its policy in the near future. Until then, fans in Australia and across the globe may only get to watch Indian men’s stars in international matches or during the IPL window.
Still, the interest from Cricket Australia reflects a broader sentiment — global leagues want a slice of India’s cricketing star power, and players like Kohli remain the most bankable names in world cricket.
