The opening match of next season’s Big Bash League will take place in India on December 12.

The match between Melbourne Renegades and defending champions Perth Scorchers in Chennai will make Australia’s Twenty20 competition the first foreign franchise league to be played in India.

“I am excited to expand cooperation with India on sport, which not only brings joy to Australians but boosts trade, tourism and investment,” Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on the final day of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Australia.

Australian players are in high demand in the Indian Premier League and organizers of the BBL, which began in 2011-2012, are looking to tap into cricket’s most lucrative market.

Cricket Australia reported a net deficit of A$11.3m (£5.8m) for 2024-25 despite hosting the lucrative Border-Gavaskar Test series against India.

The governing body hopes to open the league to private investment to boost its finances and improve competitiveness in T20 cricket.

Critics say this could lead to the BBL ceding control to IPL franchises, whose owners have already bought franchises in England, South Africa, the United States, the West Indies and the United Arab Emirates.

“Our sport has such an authentic connection to India,” Cricket Australia BBL CEO Alistair Dobson said in a statement.

“We are very excited about the opportunity and expect the match to be the most watched in the history of the Australian national league for any sport.”