Cricket News: Five team decisions in SA20 league show, IPL influence
After failing to launch a league in South Africa twice, Cricket South Africa has finally successfully revived the league to be named South Africa’s T20 league. The week commenced with auctions for the league, which included top investors from all over India, who own IPL franchises
Liam LivingstoneAs it is known that all the six teams in South Africa’s league are owned by IPL franchise owners only, thus, some moments gave a reflection of IPL in the CSA league and looked to be influenced by it. Let’s take a look at the decisions.
The Reliance industries owned Mumbai Indians and now owns MI Cape Town in the CSA league. They have picked maximum IPL players and formed a solid line-up from the auction. The team has signed IPL star players, namely Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, Rashid Khan, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, and Odean Smith.
With their teams in the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League, Rajasthan Royals acquired the Paarl Royals franchise in SA T20. The franchise has roped in David Miller to lead the pack, along with Jos Buttler, Obed McCoy, Lungi Ngidi, and Jason Roy, to add IPL’s experienced strength to their team.
Chennai Super Kings, one of the most celebrated franchises in IPL, bought Johannesburg Super Kings in SA T20. Cashing on the CSK factor from IPL, the franchise roped in Faf du Plessis as their skipper. The team has also included Maheesh Theekshana along with Romario Shepherd. However, initial reports suggested engagement of MS Dhoni in any capacity, but as of now, they have continued with their IPL Coach Stephen Fleming as their coach in SA T20.
On similar notes, Sanjiv Goenka-owned Durban Super Giants has roped their Lucknow Super Giants players, namely, Quinton de Kock and Jason Holder, ahead of auction and has now made a power-filled squad for the tournament in auctions.
Pretoria Capitals (owned by Delhi Capitals) and Sunrisers Eastern Capper (owned by Sunrisers Hyderabad) have acquired their star players in Anrich Nortje, Aiden Markram, and Marco Jansen, respectively.
The players were selected to give a true reflection of how management’s decision was influenced by the players they auctioned for in the Indian Premier League. “Having players from your original set-up eventually helps the team plan things better,” a franchise official said.