IPL Sets the Benchmark for Franchise Cricket, Says SA20 Commissioner Smith

SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith has described the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the undisputed leader in franchise cricket from which they can "only learn" and improve. SA20's third season is now into its final stages in South Africa.

"BCCI and IPL have been amazing in supporting us and guiding us in every decision we have made. IPL is the leader in franchise cricket by far, and we can only learn from them," Smith told PTI Bhasha in an exclusive interview.

IPL veteran Dinesh Karthik was the first Indian player to participate in SA20, playing for the Paarl Royals. But the team came up short in the second qualifier, losing to the two-time champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, at Centurion on Thursday.

When asked about the prospect of more Indian players joining the league in the future, Smith expressed enthusiasm, stating they would welcome them if available. However, he clarified that no such plans are currently in place.

"We always said that we have worked with the BCCI to see what their views are for the future. South African cricket loves Indian cricketers. It is always a highlight for us to watch the talent of the Indian team whenever they come here to play," said the 44-year-old former captain who led South Africa to a record 54 Test victories.

"If the Indian players were available, we would love to have them here. But nothing of that sort is in the pipeline. We always have conversations and probably at the IPL time I will be there in India. We have a very good relationship with them.

"I was lucky that I played a couple of years in the IPL. We won the first edition with Rajasthan Royals in 2008."

The final will be the third season of SA20 between MI Cape Town and Sunrisers, which happens to be match number 101, starting January 2023.

"When the team told me that the second qualifier was the 100th match, I got a little emotional because of the amount of hard work that has gone into getting to the SA20 where it is now.".

"I think I started reflecting on so many things, from signing our first employee to meeting the team for the first time to the first auction and all the performances we have seen over the last three years have been just incredible."