Amid the influx of T20 leagues and the cramped calendar as a result, getting a clean window to rope in the best of talents is a challenge. Indian Premier League (IPL) with its big money is the biggest T20 league by a distance. It leaves the door ajar for the others to make a mark of their own. Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), West Indies’ Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Pakistan Super League (PSL) are some of the most sought after.
Slowly but gradually, South Africa’s SA20 has also risen up the charts, with clear ambitions and backing of IPL franchises. Durban Super Giants, Joburg Super Kings, MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals and Sunrisers Eastern Cape all have support of IPL owners.
The league, too, is not shying away from acknowledging that IPL is well and truly ahead of the rest but they hope to learn from its success. SA20 league commissioner and former cricketer Graeme Smith labelled the IPL as ‘incredible’.
SA20 Ambassador and former all-rounder Jacques Kallis said the reason the league has done well over the two editions is because the teams are evenly matched with quality players on display.
“Obviously the product of the IPL is on the next level, your quality of players, your audience it’s just streets ahead of anything else at the moment. We’re trying to get the league (SA20) to as close as possible to IPL and make it a really exciting product, (something) that people want to watch. It’s also key to have really strong teams. I think that’s where they have done well, that is strength-versus-strength, and you got the best players coming over and attracting as many world class players as your overseas players as possible,” he said in response to a query from TimesofIndia.com.
The quality of the cricket and the spectacle was truly embraced by the locals as 3,80,000 people came through the turnstiles during the second season.
“People want to see strength-versus-strength. They want to see the best players in South Africa and world class overseas players. And that’s what this product has produced. And we’ve seen that people will come and watch it when the cricket’s good. There’s lots of other entertainment. So, it’s good value. It’s the format (that) allows you to bring the whole family to come and watch. So it’s inclusive of all, which, you know, makes it a great and exciting product,” he added.
The league will have higher expectations of getting more viewers on the television screens as well with Dinesh Karthik to feature for Paarl Royals in the 2025 season. The now-retired batter will become the first Indian to play in SA20.
“It’s wonderful to have quality players coming especially from India. They haven’t really been allowed to play the leagues around the world. So hopefully it’s the start of many Indians coming over. People love watching India play cricket, and seen a lot of the players in the IPL, and to get to see them firsthand… I think the crowds are going to be really excited to see how his type of player comes across and does,” stated the 49-year-old Kallis.
SA20 has produced some exciting talents in the two years. MI Cape Towns’ Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis are two of the standout names. Rickelton scored 676 runs in 17 matches for MI Cape Town at an average of 42.25 and strike rate of 155.76. 21-year-old Brevis, meanwhile, has been brought into the international team after scoring 385 runs from 20 matches in the SA20 at a strike rate of 125.40.
Another youngster to watch out for is 18-year-old left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka. He was roped in the Paarl Royals for the second season and has been retained for the third. His talent has been noticed in India as well with Rajasthan Royals recruiting him for Rs 1.50 crore during the IPL 2025 Auction in November.
“There is such a wonderful chance for these young guys to come through and show their skills, and if you can be successful in a league like this with such quality opposition and overseas players, it will certainly throw your name forward to playing international cricket,” said Kallis on the opportunities at hand.
‘No impact player rule’ in SA20
Kallis, one of the most influential all-rounders of his time, isn’t keen on seeing the Impact Player be introduced in SA20.
“No, I don’t like the impact player rule because I think it takes away from the all-rounder. We’re trying to produce all-rounders in South Africa, and this rule diminishes that role. So no, I wouldn’t like to see it in SA20,” he said.
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