Owners of all six teams in the South African league are also Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise owners, making the transition seamless.
Several players who ply their trade in the IPL are also representing their sister franchises in the ongoing SA20. However, there is no involvement by an Indian player by any stretch of the imagination, due to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) strict regulations surrounding involvement in overseas leagues.
Admitting that a legendary player of Dhoni’s stature would definitely bring immense value to the competition, SA 20 League Commissioner Smith told the Hindustan Times:
Dhoni is currently preparing for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League. He leads the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), whose sister franchise, the Joburg Super Kings (JSK), are currently placed last in the SA20 points table.
The veteran wicketkeeper-batter announced his international retirement in August 2020 and has been partaking solely in the IPL ever since. He was retained by the franchise prior to the mega auction in 2022 as well.
“We always work with and respect the BCCI” - Graeme Smith
The BCCI has always shared an amicable relationship with Cricket South Africa (CSA) over the years. South Africa played host to IPL 2009 when the league was not feasible in India due to general elections.
From the historic 1992 tour to several other pivotal moments, the two boards have always had each other’s backs.
Praising the way with which the BCCI functions, Smith said:
Smith continued:
SA20 has seen a hectic schedule so far, having reached the midway mark of fixtures in just 10 days. The tournament is slated to end on February 11, with the iconic Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg set to host the final.
Will MS Dhoni represent an overseas franchise before his retirement? Let us know what you think.
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