Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma the next targets of BBL after Ravi Ashwin; CA CEO drops a big hint
Why the Ashwin signing changed the game
Ravichandran Ashwin’s move to the Big Bash League (BBL) was more than a high-profile signing — it was proof that the BBL can now attract former Indian internationals in a way that seemed unlikely a year ago. Ashwin’s agreement with Sydney Thunder represents a historic first for a capped Indian male player and signals new possibilities for the league’s recruitment strategy.
This matters because the BBL has long struggled to regularly secure the very top global stars — not from lack of desire, but because of timing, money and the Indian board’s franchise rules. Ashwin’s move underlines a shifting landscape: retired or IPL-exited Indian players now have more scope to join overseas T20 competitions, and the BBL is positioning itself to capitalise.
CA CEO’s hint: “We’d love to see Virat Kohli”
Todd Greenberg’s public nudge and what it means
Cricket Australia’s chief executive has publicly suggested the BBL would welcome Indian stars, explicitly naming the likes of Virat Kohli as players they would love to host. Those comments are not idle chatter — they reflect ongoing conversations about how the BBL can become more attractive to global superstars through new funding models and scheduling flexibility.
Greenberg’s remarks serve two purposes. First, they bolster the BBL’s international profile at a time when T20 calendars are crowded. Second, they telegraph intent to investors and partners that Cricket Australia is open to structural changes (including private investment or franchise re-imagination) that could create the budget and scheduling capacity needed to lure marquee names.
Could Virat Kohli actually play in the BBL?
Practical hurdles and potential windows
Saying “we’d love to see Virat Kohli” is different from making it happen. Key obstacles remain: international commitments, IPL contracts and BCCI policies regarding Indian players in overseas men’s leagues. Historically, the BCCI has restricted contracted Indian players from playing in foreign T20 leagues, which makes a straight path to the BBL difficult while players remain centrally contracted.
However, there are realistic pathways. One is the retirement or IPL non-retention route — as happened with Ashwin — freeing a player to sign overseas. Another is negotiation between Cricket Australia and the BCCI where limited, one-off or exhibition appearances are discussed, possibly tied to calendar windows and bilateral goodwill events. The CA CEO’s hint suggests such conversations are either happening or being actively pursued.
Why Virat Kohli — and Rohit Sharma — would be a BBL game-changer
Commercial and cricketing upside
If Virat Kohli plays even a handful of BBL matches, the ripple effect would be immense. TV audiences in India would surge, sponsorship dollars would spike, and stadium attendance would likely rise for matches featuring Indian superstars. From a cricketing standpoint, Kohli’s presence would elevate competition, provide a premium draw for younger Australian players, and offer fans a rare chance to watch elite matchups in a domestic T20 setting. The same logic applies to Rohit Sharma, whose global stature complements Kohli’s pull.
For the BBL, which is fighting to stay relevant in an increasingly crowded global T20 market, signing Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma would be both a marketing triumph and a strategic pivot — moving the league closer to the top tier of global T20 competitions.
What needs to happen next: the roadmap for a potential deal
Four things Cricket Australia and partners must solve
- Negotiation with the BCCI: Any realistic path requires at least tacit approval or a negotiated arrangement with India’s board — especially if players remain contracted. The CA CEO’s comments suggest dialogue is underway, but this will be the decisive factor.
- Calendar alignment: The BBL season, IPL schedules and international fixtures must be managed to avoid clashes. Creative scheduling or short-term windows may be required.
- Financial incentives: Private investment or revamped franchise economics would be needed to match the commercial expectations of players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, even for short stints.
- Player interest and timing: Personal considerations — workload, family, Rest and recuperation plans and career stage — determine whether players want to take on additional T20 commitments. Ashwin’s move followed a change in his status; similar conditions could apply to other stars.
What fans should expect in the short term
Realistic timelines and fan takeaways
Fans should be cautious about immediate expectations. While media reports and CA statements have raised optimism, major signings (especially involving active Indian internationals) usually take months of talks and require approvals. In the short term, expect more “feelers,” dialogue updates from Cricket Australia, and perhaps exhibition or invitational matches as interim steps.
However, Ashwin’s landmark signing has removed a psychological barrier: Indian players can now envision playing in the BBL. That cultural shift increases the probability that, over the next 12–24 months, the league will continue to attract higher-profile Indian names — if the commercial and administrative stars align.
Final take: Virat Kohli remains the golden target — but the path is complex
The message from Cricket Australia is clear: the BBL wants Virat Kohli (and Rohit Sharma), and they’re willing to work for it. But public desire must translate into deals that navigate board politics, player availability, and a crowded T20 calendar.
For now, fans should watch two things closely: follow-up comments from the CA CEO and any formal negotiations reported between Cricket Australia and the BCCI. If those conversations continue to progress, the era that began with Ashwin’s BBL move could well expand to include cricket’s biggest stars — and that would change the BBL’s place in the global game.
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