Photo Credit: Twitter Profile Photo of @ABdeVilliers17
Renowned South African cricketer AB de Villiers has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow more Indian players to take part in SA20, South Africa’s premier franchise cricket league.
Dinesh Karthik, who retired from international cricket last year, is set to become the first Indian player to feature in SA20. The former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper will represent the Paarl Royals in the league’s third edition, beginning on January 9.
As SA20 Brand Ambassador, de Villiers expressed excitement about Karthik’s involvement, noting that it would enhance the league’s profile and generate greater interest. He emphasized the importance of recruiting top overseas talent for the tournament’s growth and long-term success.
“I would love to see more Indian players involved. We know Dinesh Karthik will be here this year, which is fantastic, and it’s great for the tournament. Hopefully, the BCCI will allow us to get more Indian players in the future to come and join the fun of SA20,” de Villiers said during a media interaction on Tuesday, January 7.
The BCCI traditionally prohibits active Indian male players from participating in overseas leagues. However, retired players have begun exploring opportunities in such tournaments. While Indian female cricketers are allowed to compete in leagues in England and Australia, the BCCI enforces a strict exclusivity policy for senior men’s players.
De Villiers highlighted the critical role of overseas players in the success of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and suggested that SA20 should adopt a similar strategy to attract the best international talent.
“We [SA20] can just keep growing with regards to the overseas players. That’s been a large part of the success of the IPL over the years, and I’ve followed the IPL since 2008. Every year, the overseas contingents seem to get stronger and stronger.
“You get the best players in the world and the best players in India, and that combination makes for great cricket. So I think for Graeme Smith and his team moving forward, it’s just about pushing as hard as they can to get the best overseas talent,” he said.
AB de Villiers, a central figure in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) success, played for the franchise from 2011 to 2021. He developed a strong bond with Virat Kohli and became a fan favorite during his IPL tenure, contributing both on and off the field.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
