Virat Kohli to play in BBL? Cricket Australia CEO drops HUGE update

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Virat Kohli has retired from Tests and T20Is [Source: @abhinandps/x.com]Virat Kohli has retired from Tests and T20Is [Source: @abhinandps/x.com]

In what could be a game-changing development for the Big Bash League (BBL), Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg believes it’s “realistic” that Indian superstar Virat Kohli might one day follow Ravichandran Ashwin’s footsteps to play in Australia’s marquee T20 tournament.

Kohli to play in BBL?

Speaking to reporters ahead of India’s final ODI against Australia at the SCG, Greenberg said he is optimistic about the idea but admitted it will largely depend on whether the BBL allows private investment in the future.

“In the short to medium term, I think it is realistic over time,” Greenberg said. “We’re going to keep the dialogue open. Ravichandran Ashwin coming is a really important moment for the BBL and it will highlight the strength of bringing Indian players into the league.”

Virat Kohli, who has already retired from Tests and T20Is, is expected to play his final international match in Australia this weekend. If he does make a return to Australian shores, it could very well be through the BBL but that hinges on policy changes.

The BBL’s private investment dilemma

Greenberg revealed that Cricket Australia is still weighing the idea of bringing in private capital to the league, a move that could mirror the franchise model used by the IPL, where Indian companies own teams in multiple T20 leagues worldwide.

“Some of that will depend on whether we take private capital into the BBL, which is an open conversation for us,” he said.

Currently, Indian players can only feature in overseas leagues if they’ve completely retired from international and domestic cricket, meaning they have to forgo both the BCCI setup and the IPL.

Ashwin leads the way

Ashwin’s signing with Sydney Thunder marks the first time an active Indian player will participate in the BBL, setting a new precedent. 

His arrival could open doors for more Indian names in the future and if that happens, fans could finally witness a dream scenario: Virat Kohli in Australian franchise colours.

As Greenberg summed it up, it is not fantasy anymore, it is “realistic.”