Cricket Australia (CA) has indicated that it would be open to the possibility of staging an Ashes Test match in India in the future, following its decision to take the opening match of the Big Bash League (BBL) to Chennai later this year. While there are no immediate plans for such a move, CA chief executive Todd Greenberg said the idea could be considered as part of efforts to expand international cricket and strengthen ties between major cricketing nations.

Australia is set to begin a new chapter in its engagement with Indian cricket audiences by hosting the BBL opener in Chennai in December. The move is seen as an attempt to take Australian domestic cricket to a global audience and explore opportunities in one of the world’s largest cricket markets.

Greenberg highlighted the strong relationship between Cricket Australia, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He suggested that collaboration between the three major cricket boards could create opportunities to bring more high-profile cricket content to India.

“Our relationship with the ECB but also the BCCI is very strong, and clearly there are opportunities in India to put more content into certain areas,” Greenberg said.

He added that while an Ashes Test in India is not currently being planned, Cricket Australia would not rule out the possibility in the future.

“It’s not something we’re currently planning, but it would be certainly open to consideration. I think Test cricket between us, England and India is still very strong, probably bucking the trend as to other parts of the world. So we want to make sure we continue to grow it and strengthen it,” he said.

The idea of hosting an Ashes Test outside Australia and England would represent a major shift in the traditional history of the iconic rivalry. The Ashes series, which dates back to 1882, has traditionally been played only in England and Australia, with matches held at historic venues such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sydney Cricket Ground, Lord’s and The Oval.

However, with global cricket undergoing rapid changes, administrators are exploring new ways to expand the reach of the longest format of the game. India, with its massive cricket following and strong appetite for Test cricket involving top teams, could provide a unique opportunity to showcase the Ashes to a wider audience.

Greenberg, however, acknowledged that scheduling remains one of the biggest challenges facing international cricket. With an increasingly crowded calendar featuring bilateral series, ICC tournaments, domestic leagues and franchise competitions, finding space for additional matches requires significant planning and coordination.

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“The challenge for all of us in global cricket is there’s only 365 days in a schedule and we probably need another month or two to generate some of the content that we’re trying to,” Greenberg said.

Any proposal involving an overseas Ashes Test would require close cooperation between Cricket Australia, the ECB and the BCCI, along with careful consideration of player workloads, broadcast commitments and existing international schedules.

The move to bring the BBL opener to Chennai is part of Cricket Australia’s broader efforts to build stronger connections with Indian cricket fans. India remains the financial and commercial centre of world cricket, and collaborations between Australian and Indian cricket bodies have expanded significantly in recent years.

Meanwhile, the Ashes rivalry continues to remain one of the most prestigious contests in international cricket. England are scheduled to host the next Ashes series in 2027, with both teams preparing for another historic battle in the traditional home of the rivalry.

While an Ashes Test in India remains only a possibility at this stage, Greenberg’s comments indicate that cricket administrators are increasingly willing to explore innovative ideas to grow the sport globally while preserving the importance and heritage of Test cricket.