Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg had stated that the organization has plotted an emotional send-off for India legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, when they visit down under with the Indian ODI team in October this year.
India is slated to visit Australia and will play a 3-ODI series starting October 19 and a five-match T20I series beginning October 29. Kohli and Rohit have both retired from Tests and T20Is, but are expected to be part of the touring party for the ODI series.
As the 'end of an era' of ODI retirement approaches, Cricket Australia is already preparing a farewell ceremony for Rohit and Kohli, which they believe may be their final tour of Australia. After the 2027 ODI World Cup, there has been much conjecture that the two older hitters may retire from international competition.
"This might be the last time that we get to see Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma play in our country. And if that is the case, who knows, it might not be, but if it is, we wanna make sure we give them a great send-off and a reflection of the incredible contribution they've made to international cricket," Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
Additionally, Cricket Australia will take advantage of the India series to keep urging the BCCI to permit Indian players to compete in the Big Bash League.
Contract players are strictly prohibited from participating in foreign leagues by the Indian board unless they sever all connections with the BCCI.
"That's certainly some conversations that we will continue to have with the BCCI. I mean, I would love to see Virat Kohli playing in the BBL this year. That would certainly create some interest in crowds and ratings, I'm sure. But at the moment, that's not happening, but we do have our ambitions to do those types of things. And as you're seeing all over the world, T20 leagues are going down a lot of the private investment opportunities,” he added.
“We're seeing that in England recently with the hundred. A number of the IPL franchises are now taking ownership stakes in the hundred. We've got to continue to evolve and innovate the way we run our business here in Australia, and make sure that we have an open mind to new things. But the short answer to that question is if we could find opportunities for Indian cricketers, either retired, recently retired, or current players, to play in the BBL, they'd be very welcome, and it's a conversation we'll continue to have," Greenberg signed off.
