'A real honour' - Brendan Doggett excited as BBL 16 set to open in Chennai

The Big Bash League is set to make history on December 12, 2026, when the Melbourne Renegades take on the Perth Scorchers at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

This fixture marks the first Big Bash match ever played outside Australia, bringing the tournament to Indian soil for the opening game of the 2026-27 season. The Renegades have been designated as the home side for this landmark encounter.

"I just arrived in Chennai today, which is really exciting. Coming through the change rooms, you get to see so much of the history that’s been created in and around this ground, and everything that’s happened here. So, it’s a real honour to be here and a real privilege to have the opportunity to play a Big Bash game here in December. It’s really exciting," Doggett said as quoted by The News Mill.

"We’ve probably struggled a little bit over the last few BBL seasons, so there’s been a bit of a rebuild. I think we’re building a really good young squad, and this is going to be a great opportunity for us to come over here and experience these conditions. I’m not really sure what the wicket is going to offer us yet, but we’ll lean on the experience of the guys who have been out here before and played in the IPL. We’ll build our tactics around that and see what happens as we get a bit closer to the game," he added.

Excited to share the Big bash experience: Rigby

Phil Rigby, Head of Business Operations for the Big Bash League, expressed his excitement about bringing the BBL’s 16th season to Chennai, with the city set to host the opening match. He thanked the BCCI for its support in making the historic fixture possible and said the league is looking forward to delivering a special Big Bash experience for Chennai fans at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium.

"We’re heading into our 16th season of the Big Bash League, and it’s incredibly exciting to announce that we’ll be playing the opening game of the season here in Chennai. We’re incredibly fortunate to have the support of the BCCI in making this game happen, and we can’t wait to bring the Big Bash to your city and this famous stadium on December 12," Rigby said.

"We’re looking forward to sharing the Big Bash experience with all of you and making it a really special occasion. So, keep an eye out for tickets going on sale in early October. We can’t wait to see you there!," he added.