In a development that could excite cricket fans worldwide, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has hinted that Indian superstar Virat Kohli might one day play in the Big Bash League (BBL), following in the footsteps of Ravichandran Ashwin.
Speaking ahead of India’s T20I Series against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Greenberg described the possibility as “realistic,” though he stressed that much depends on the future policies of the BBL.
“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.”
Kohli’s Next Step
Virat Kohli, who has already retired from Tests and T20Is, is expected to play his final international match in Australia this weekend. Once his international career is behind him, the BBL could become a natural destination for him, provided the league opens doors for players under private contracts, similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL) model.
Private Investment: The Key Factor
Currently, Indian players can only feature in overseas leagues if they have fully retired from international and domestic cricket, meaning they cannot participate while still part of the BCCI or the IPL. Greenberg acknowledged that allowing private investment in the BBL could pave the way for more Indian stars like Kohli to join in the future.
“Some of that will depend on whether we take private capital into the BBL, which is an open conversation for us,” he added.
Ashwin Leads the Way
Ravichandran Ashwin’s signing with Sydney Thunder marks a historic first for an active Indian player in the BBL. His participation could set a precedent, opening doors for more Indian cricketers to experience Australian franchise cricket. For fans, the ultimate dream scenario would be seeing Virat Kohli don Australian BBL colours, and Greenberg believes it’s no longer a fantasy.
“It is realistic,” he said, summing up the possibility.
With Kohli’s international career winding down and the BBL exploring new avenues, cricket fans might soon witness a new era of Indian stars lighting up Australian T20 cricket, starting with Virat himself.
