Sydney Sixers gave cricket fans a moment of excitement—and confusion—on April 1 by announcing that Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli had signed with them for the next two seasons of the Big Bash League (BBL). The news quickly went viral, with fans, especially in India, buzzing over the prospect of seeing Kohli play in the Australian T20 league. However, as many soon realized, it was nothing more than an elaborate April Fool’s prank.
The franchise posted a graphic on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, featuring Kohli in an Indian jersey, alongside the caption: “King Kohli! Virat Kohli is officially a Sixer for the next TWO seasons!” While some fans immediately recognized the joke, others were momentarily convinced before the Sixers confirmed it was all in good fun.
ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya Praises MI Scouts After Ashwani Kumar’s Debut
Realistically, Virat Kohli—or any active Indian cricketer—playing in the BBL remains an impossibility under current regulations. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) strictly prohibits its contracted male players from participating in overseas franchise leagues. This policy aims to protect the exclusivity of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and manage player workloads effectively.
King Kohli 🤩
Virat Kohli is officially a Sixer for the next TWO seasons! ✍️ #LIKEASIXER pic.twitter.com/TE89D4Ar6l
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) March 31, 2025
While Indian women cricketers have had the freedom to play in leagues like the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), their male counterparts must either retire from international and domestic cricket or forego such opportunities.
As for Kohli, his focus remains firmly on IPL 2025, where he continues to be the backbone of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He started the season strongly, scoring an unbeaten 59 in RCB’s opener against Kolkata Knight Riders and adding 31 runs in their win over Chennai Super Kings.
ALSO READ: Aakash Chopra comments on Kolkata Knight Riders’s performance in IPL 2025 loss to Mumbai Indians
With 741 runs in IPL 2024, Kohli was the tournament’s leading run-scorer. As RCB chase their elusive maiden IPL title, they will once again rely on the Delhi-born batter’s brilliance to lead the charge. His next challenge? A crucial clash against Gujarat Titans on April 2 in Bengaluru.
