SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith said that the Indian Premier League (IPL) remains the undisputed leader in franchise cricket, from which they can “only learn” and improve. SA20’s third season is now in its final stage in South Africa.
“BCCI and IPL have been amazing in supporting us and guiding us in every decision we have made. IPL is the leader in franchise cricket by far, and we can only learn from them,” Smith told PTI Bhasha in an exclusive interview.
IPL veteran Dinesh Karthik became the first Indian player to participate in SA20, representing the Paarl Royals. However, the team fell short in the second qualifier, losing to the two-time champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, in Centurion on Thursday.
When asked about the prospect of more Indian players joining the league in the future, Smith expressed enthusiasm, stating they would welcome them if available. However, he clarified that no such plans are currently in place.
“We always said that we have worked with the BCCI to see what their views are for the future. South African cricket loves Indian cricketers. It is always a highlight for us to watch the talent of the Indian team whenever they come here to play,” said the 44-year-old former captain who led South Africa to a record 54 Test victories.
“If the Indian players were available, we would love to have them here. But nothing of that sort is in the pipeline. We always have conversations and probably at the IPL time I will be there in India. We have a very good relationship with them.
“I was lucky that I played a couple of years in the IPL. We won the first edition with Rajasthan Royals in 2008.”
The final of the third season of SA20, between MI Cape Town and Sunrisers, will be the league’s 101st match, beginning in January 2023.
“When the team told me that the second qualifier was the 100th match, I got a bit emotional because of the amount of hard work that has gone into getting to the SA20 where it is now.
“I started to reflect on so many things, like signing our first employee, meeting the team for the first time, the first auction, and the performances we have seen over the last three years have been incredible.”
