Virat Kohli To Play In BBL: On April 1, three-time Big Bash League (BBL) winners Sydney Sixers ignited social media with a post announcing that Virat Kohli had signed a two-year contract to play for their team. The prospect of Kohli and Steve Smith playing together in Australian franchise cricket delighted fans across the globe.
However, a few hours down the line, the Sixers made it clear that the release was nothing but an April Fool’s Day joke.
Virat Kohli To Play In BBL, Sydney Sixers’ Viral Announcement
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April Fools
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) April 1, 2025
The team turned to social media to share:
“King Kohli! Virat Kohli is officially a Sixer for the next TWO seasons!”
They later followed up with:
_”April Fools!”_
Why Kohli Can’t Play in BBL
Despite the buzz around the post, Virat Kohli playing in the BBL is not possible according to the existing Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regulations. The BCCI does not allow active Indian male cricketers to play in foreign franchise leagues unless they have retired from both international cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Kohli’s Stellar T20I Record in Australia
Though Virat Kohli’s play in BBL is still a fan’s dream, his T20I performance in Australia is incredible.
– 16 innings, 747 runs, average of 74.70
– 9 half-centuries
– Historic 82* against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the ICC T20 World Cup 2022
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His performances have established him as one of the top T20 batsmen in Australian conditions.
Will Kohli Play Another Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia?
Before IPL 2025, Kohli made a stunning revelation, indicating that he might not play another Test series in Australia.
_”I might not have another Australia tour in me, so I am at peace with whatever happened in the past,”_ Kohli said.
Yet, he hasn’t retired from ODIs and will be coming back to Australia later this year for a three-match ODI series from October 19 to October 25.
Kohli’s ODI Record in Australia
– 29 innings, 1,327 runs, average of 51.03
– 5 centuries, 6 half-centuries
Virat Kohli in IPL 2025: Strong Start for RCB
Kohli has had a decent start in IPL 2025, playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
– 90 runs in two matches
– Unbeaten 59 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a run chase
– 31 off 30 balls against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), looking slightly sluggish
RCB, though, ended their 17-year losing run in Chennai, winning a historic match against CSK.
Even though the “Virat Kohli To Play In BBL” news was a hoax, his Australian dominance continues to go unchallenged. Although he might not feature in another Test series Down Under, viewers can still see him in action during ODIs and the current IPL 2025 season. Can BCCI ever be lenient with rules and let Indian cricketers play in leagues like BBL? Only time will tell.
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