Chennai bound: BBL season all but certain to open in India

The Big Bash is all but certain to head to India this summer.

As first reported by SEN’s Tom Morris, Cricket Australia’s proposal of playing the Big Bash season opener in India is now receiving encouraging signals from the BCCI, reports the Indian Express.

Morris initially reported in February that the governing body was investigating the possibility of playing the match in Chennai, and now it’s believed Indian cricket bosses have come around to the idea after initially being unreceptive.

According to the Indian Express, a five-member Cricket Australia delegation flew to Chennai for the Super Kings’  final home game of the season at MA Chidambaram Stadium, which came overnight against Sunrisers Hyderabad, to scout the venue.

BCCI President Mithun Manhas was also present in Chennai to meet with the Cricket Aus powerbrokers.

According to both Morris and the Indian report, the match is set to be played in the second week of December, with the Perth Scorchers likely to be one of the teams involved due to the time zone and distance to the subcontinent.

Morris expects most of the other franchises to be keen on facing the Scorchers in Chennai, with the exception being the Melbourne Stars, who are hunting a maiden title, and the Sydney Sixers.