Who has become the only Indian to register for the Men’s BBL 2025-26 draft?
Men’s BBL 2025-26 draft is getting attention, and this time the biggest point is that an Indian male cricketer has entered the draft. His name is Siddharth Kaul, who has earlier played white-ball cricket for India. This is the first time any Indian male cricketer has directly submitted his name for the draft as an Indian player.
Cricket Australia confirms Siddharth Kaul’s entry in official list
On Tuesday, Cricket Australia officially confirmed that Siddharth Kaul has submitted his name for the Men’s BBL 2025-26 draft. This draft will be held on 19 June in Melbourne. More than 600 players from across the world have registered this time. Big players like Jofra Archer and James Anderson are also part of this list. But when it comes to Indian men’s category, Kaul is the only one who has entered the draft.
One Indian has played BBL before, but not as an Indian player
People often talk about Unmukt Chand when they think of an Indian playing in the BBL. But they need to understand that Unmukt did not play as an Indian player. He gave up his Indian citizenship and became a USA citizen to play in BBL. So officially, no Indian passport holder has played in the BBL before. If Kaul gets picked in the draft, he will become the first Indian to play in the BBL directly as a former Indian player.
Kaul retired in November 2024, so BCCI rule does not apply to him now
Siddharth Kaul officially retired from international cricket in November last year. That decision opened the doors for him to play in big leagues like BBL. BCCI has a rule that no active Indian player can take part in any foreign T20 league. But after retirement, this rule does not apply. That’s why Kaul is now eligible for the BBL draft.
It is not yet clear whether he will be picked in the draft. But his name is officially registered and available for the selection panel. Out of 600 registrations, only 445 players will be available in the final draft.
Strong domestic career, part of U19 World Cup win with Virat Kohli
Siddharth Kaul started his career in Punjab in 2007 through First-Class cricket. His domestic performances helped him get noticed nationally. In 2008, when Virat Kohli led the Indian U19 team to a World Cup win, Kaul was also part of that squad. In the final match of that tournament, Kaul bowled the last over which helped India win the title.
He got his senior India team debut in 2018. He played 3 One Day matches and 3 T20 matches but could not secure a permanent place in the team. Still, his domestic career remained strong, which has now brought him closer to a chance in the BBL.
15 Indian women cricketers also entered the Women’s BBL draft
Apart from Kaul, 15 Indian female cricketers have submitted their names for the Women’s BBL draft. This is another sign that Indian players are now more interested in playing in global leagues. In women’s cricket, such entries have happened before, but in the men’s category, this move is big, especially when a former Indian international directly enters a foreign league draft.
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Siddharth Kaul entering the Men’s BBL 2025-26 draft is not just one cricketer’s step, it shows that retired Indian players are now ready to make their place on the world stage. Now we’ll see on 19 June if any team picks him. If that happens, this moment could become a new beginning for Indian cricket.
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