SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith expressed his desire to have more Indian players in their T20 league, and said it is something they will continue to work on with the BCCI.
So far, Dinesh Karthik is the only Indian to have played in the SA20. After announcing his retirement, he signed a deal with the Paarl Royals for last season.
Under the BCCI’s current policy, Indian players who have announced their retirement from Indian cricket are eligible to feature in overseas leagues.
“Firstly, we would love to have more Indian players [in the SA20],” Smith said during an event in Mumbai on Wednesday. “I think whenever India play in South Africa, you can see the love for the Indian team. The talent is incredible. I think we will continue to work with the BCCI on these things. And I think if that ever changes with the six IPL franchises, we are perfectly suited to be able to attract Indian players. Those types of contracts, with Dinesh signing with the Paarl Royals, are always a direct deal between the franchise and the player.”
Due to the aforementioned rule, no active Indian cricketer can take part in leagues other than the IPL. Even retired Indian players will add value to the league, Smith reckons.
“And I think, obviously, with retired players and more retired players coming, it’s a balance between attracting that retired Indian player but still keeping your league competitive. Our franchises really want to win, as you’ve experienced in the IPL and in the SA20. So they are always looking for the best players who can perform consistently,” he added.
The fourth season of the SA20 will begin on 26 December 2025 and will run until 25 January 2026.
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