Chief executive of Cricket Victoria (CV), Nick Cummins, has conceded that the Bushrangers name remains "in play" as part of a proposed shake-up that would see the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades merge into a single BBL team. The idea would be to retain one Melbourne-based team, to be based at the MCG, and sell a second Victorian license to private investors for upwards of $100m. The new owners would then be in charge of a second team to ensure the continuing of the Melbourne derbies in the BBL. The two existing teams are expected to remain for the 2026-27 season with any sale and re-structure subject to the agreement of the Australian Cricketers Association. Bushrangers Name Remains in Play Cummins has admitted that there are "no final decisions yet on names" but stated the Bushrangers name was definitely one to remain considered for their iconic history in Victorian cricket. Cummins told SEN: "We haven't decided on the name yet. The Bushrangers is in play and that's something that holds a lot of emotion and heritage for a lot of fans." However, CV are contemplating whether the name will suit both the men's and women's sides. "What we need to consider, though, is that the Bushrangers is fairly gender-specific - as opposed to when the Bushrangers existed previously, now we've got a WBBL team as well as a BBL team. So, we are mindful of that so we're just working through that at the moment. We've got a few boxes we need to tick with Cricket Australia." Also Read | Pat Cummins Hints at IPL 2027 Exit, Says Australia Commitments Come First Success Will be Judged on Results According to Cummins, studies have revealed that both the Stars and the Renegades fans will be supportive of a single new team but not necessarily switch if one team is merely removed from the competition. While admitting that the proposals have been met with "a mix" he believes the success on the field will decide their reception. "Ultimately I think it's what the (unified) team stands for when they take the field. If they take the field and they're terrible and they finish last, well clearly the decision is going to be that it was a bad idea amongst the fans." Indian Ownership Interest Looms Over Renegades Sale The question of who buys the second Victorian license is a major one with investors from the Indian Premier League being touted as favorites though Cummins wouldn't discuss any bidders. CV said it was seeking an owner that could build the Melbourne derby and also attract new supporters, namely from the south Asian population which has a strong hold on Melbourne. Cummins added: "When we sell off one of our licenses the buyer that comes in will have the capability to develop the derby and to produce one of the biggest possible crowd that we can create. One of the factors that will really be determining in terms of who gets the license is which buyer can develop this derby." The derby between the two Victorian outfits is likely to continue being one of the premier ones and CV is not ruling out future Melbourne derby clashes to be held in the MCG by both Victorian outfits. Meanwhile there have been further talks regarding BBL privatization after its earlier proposal was put on hold by CA earlier in the year