Legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers has called on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow more Indian players to participate in SA20, South Africa’s premier franchise-based T20 league. This comes as Dinesh Karthik, who retired from international cricket last year, is set to become the first Indian player to feature in the tournament. Karthik will represent the Paar Royals in the third edition of SA20, starting January 9.
As the SA20 Brand Ambassador, de Villiers welcomed Karthik’s inclusion, emphasizing its potential to increase interest in the league. He expressed hope that more Indian players would follow suit in the future.
“I’d love to see more Indian players involved. Dinesh Karthik joining this year is fantastic and great for the tournament. Hopefully, the BCCI will allow more Indian players to join SA20 and be part of the fun,” de Villiers said during a media interaction on January 7.
BCCI’s Policy on Indian Players in Overseas Leagues
The BCCI currently restricts active Indian male players from participating in overseas leagues, enforcing a strict exclusivity policy for senior men’s cricketers. Female cricketers, however, are permitted to play in leagues in countries like England and Australia. In response to this policy, some Indian players have begun retiring earlier to explore opportunities in overseas tournaments.
Learning from the IPL’s Success
De Villiers highlighted the importance of high-quality overseas players in the success of leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and suggested that SA20 should aim to replicate this model.
“The IPL’s success is largely due to the quality of its overseas players. Since 2008, I’ve seen the overseas contingents grow stronger every year, which elevates the cricket. Combining the best players from around the world with India’s top talent makes for exceptional competition,” he said.
He encouraged Graeme Smith and the SA20 team to continue pushing for top-tier international players to boost the league’s growth.
Dinesh Karthik Teams Up with AB de Villiers as SA20 Brand Ambassador
De Villiers’ Legacy in T20 Cricket
AB de Villiers remains an iconic figure in T20 cricket, particularly for his contributions to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL. Representing RCB from 2011 to 2021, he forged a legendary partnership with Virat Kohli and became a fan favorite, both on and off the field. His continued involvement in global cricket as a mentor and ambassador underscores his enduring impact on the game.
