BBL 2026: Adam Voges excited for Perth Scorchers’ historic Chennai opener

Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges says the BBL 16 opener against Melbourne Renegades in Chennai will be a “historic event”.

Updated : Sep 17, 2026 14:13 IST , Chennai - 4 MINS READ

Perth Scorchers enters the contest as the defending champion and the most successful team in the competition’s history with six titles. | Photo Credit: B.Jothi Ramalingam

Perth Scorchers coach Adam Voges has described the decision to move the first match of the 16th season of the Big Bash League (BBL) to Chennai as a “really exciting” opportunity, calling the match a “historic event.”

The first match of BBL 16 will be played between Voges’ Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on December 12, marking the first time the BBL has been played outside Australia.

Speaking at a press conference to launch the match on Thursday, Voges said, “To be here as part of a historic event, to open a Big Bash season here in Chennai is something we’re excited about. The preparations start now for us as a team, and we’re very excited.”

Voges said that his defending champion Scorchers would look to draw on the experience of those who had played in Chennai before.

“It’s going to be new for everyone, and that is the exciting part, the great challenge for all of us,” he said.

“We have a number of players coming over who have experience in the conditions over here. We’ve got IPL stars like Mitchell Marsh and Cooper Connolly who will hopefully be part of our squad, as well as guys like Ashton Turner and Jhye Richardson who have played in the conditions, so we will lean on their experience.”

“I also live just down the road from Michael Hussey, who has been part of the Super Kings coaching staff for a long time, so I’ll be leaning on all the contacts we have to understand the conditions and Chennai itself the best we can.”

BBL Head of League Operations and Club Growth Phil Rigby said that the match would be part of the week-long G’day Namaste festival aimed at promoting relations between India and Australia.

The fixture was first announced – tickets for which will be available from early October onwards – by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Melbourne in July.

“Australian and Indian cricket have a truly strong relationship, and this is a great example of how we can work together in partnership,” said Rigby. “We’re thrilled that cricket is the showcase to building and strengthening business and community relationships.”

With the BBL having recently opened its clubs up to private investment, Rigby also explained that playing a match in India was in line with efforts to grow the league.

“The BBL has been hugely successful for the 15 years of its existence. What we’re looking to do is grow and strengthen it for the next 15 years, and at the same time strengthen Australian cricket. We’ve been really open about our plans considering private investment into our clubs, and a part of this initiative is about growing the BBL globally” he said.

“We’re already a strong global league, and the IPL and BBL are two of the oldest T20 competitions. So, we want to further grow the brand of our clubs and league, and this provides a great opportunity.”

He also noted the need for alignment between the clubs and potential investors for the success of the initiative, saying, “I think the question is about how you engage with potential investors, build a relationship, and find like-minded people to partner with. That’s ultimately what it is about. If there is mutual alignment and values, there is no reason to think that this can’t be successful.”