AB de Villiers urges BCCI to allow more Indian players in SA20

Cricket legend AB de Villiers has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow more Indian players to participate in the SA20 league in South Africa. As the brand ambassador of the tournament, de Villiers believes that having Indian players in the league would significantly increase its global profile and attract more attention from fans around the world.

Dinesh Karthik becomes first Indian in SA20

The third season of SA20, which begins on January 9, will see a historic moment when Dinesh Karthik becomes the first Indian player to participate. After retiring from international cricket, Karthik will play for Paar Royals, one of the leading franchises in the tournament.

De Villiers expressed his excitement over Karthik’s participation. “I would love to see more Indian players involved. We know that Dinesh Karthik will be here this year, which is fantastic and great for the tournament. Hopefully, the BCCI will allow us to get more Indian players in the future to come and join the SA20 fun,” de Villiers said during a media interaction on Tuesday.

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Why is BCCI approval crucial?

At the moment, the BCCI does not allow active Indian cricketers to participate in foreign leagues. However, the board has a different approach for women cricketers. They are allowed to play in tournaments such as the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and The Hundred.

Despite the restrictions, several retired Indian players have sought opportunities in foreign leagues. De Villiers highlighted the role of top-level foreign talent in the success of tournaments like the IPL.

“Us [SA20] It can continue to grow with respect to foreign players. That’s been a big part of the IPL’s success over the years, and I’ve been following the IPL since 2008. Every year, the overseas contingents seem to get stronger and stronger. “You have the best players in the world and the best players in India, and that combination creates great cricket,” he said.

The growing popularity of SA20

Launched in 2023, the SA20 league quickly gained recognition. With Graeme Smith at the helm as commissioner, the tournament aims to become one of the world’s leading T20 competitions.

De Villiers believes bringing in more Indian players will further boost the growth and visibility of the league.

“For Graeme and his team, the focus should be on attracting the best overseas talent. The combination of local and international players creates exciting cricket, and it is a formula that has worked wonders in leagues like the IPL,” added de Villiers.

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