One of the biggest Twenty-20 cricket leagues on the planet, Australia’s Big Bash League has been renewed for its 13th season which is slated to begin DEC 7, 2023 onwards.
Though numerous cricketing superstars –Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan, Lasith Malinga, Kieron Pollard etc– from all across the globe have graced the Kangaroo league since its inception in 2011, Unmukt Chand remains the sole Indian player to have participated in it.
However, with IPL franchise owners starting to invest overseas, the BCCI is now offering freedom to retired Indian cricketers to go and play in T20 leagues outside of India.
Hereon, we will look at three such former Team India cricketers who the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) might allow to feature in the 2023 edition of Big Bash League.
3 retired INDIAN players who might feature in Big Bash League 2023
1. Suresh Raina
The 2011 World Cup winning left-hander retired from the Indian Premier League (IPL), and all other forms of domestic cricket in India on September 6th, 2022.
Suresh Raina was the first Indian to smack 100s in all 3 formats of the game, and with 5528 runs to his name, remains one of the most successful batters in IPL history.
BBL franchises looking for a solid Number 3/4 bat will look to draft him for the 2023 edition of the marquee event. Notably, Raina played for Deccan Gladiators in the previous edition of the T10 League.
2. Ambati Rayudu
Rayudu retired from Indian cricket on May 28 after lifting his 6th overall, and 3rd Indian Premier League title with Chennai Super Kings.
The 37-year-old was picked by Texas Super Kings for MLC 2023 but had to pull out after BCCI implemented a COOLING-OFF period for retired players.
There is still time left before Big Bash League 2023 gets underway, and if BCCI’s cool-off period is six months or less, expect Ambati Rayudu to be smashing some leather Down Under.
3. Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa won the 2007 T20 WC with the Men in Blue, and was one of the most decorated Indian IPL batters of his time, having won the prestigious Organe Cap (660 runs) in 2014.
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His powerful swipes to midwicket will be a sight to behold for Aussie spectators provided the BCCI permits retired Indian cricketers to feature in Big Bash League (BBL) 2023.
Earlier this year, Uthappa represented Dubai Capitals during the inaugural edition of the UAE International League T20.
