Allan Donald Expresses Desire to See Kohli and Bumrah Compete in SA20
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Mumbai, Dec 23 (NationPress) Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has essentially created an opening for Indian players to contemplate leaving domestic play and participating in international franchise T20 leagues, igniting optimism that a growing number of Indian players will chase prospects in such tournaments moving forward.
Despite the BCCI's regulations preventing Indian players from competing in foreign T20 leagues, former South African fast bowler and SA20 Ambassador Allan Donald expressed his wish to see Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah take part in the SA20 league, South Africa's local T20 championship.
Karthik is set to play for Paarl Royals in the upcoming Season 3 of SA20, scheduled from January 9 to February 8, 2025.
When asked about which Indian players he would like to see in the SA20, Donald remarked: "Oh my gosh, that's a - where do I start? Where do I start getting a player from there? My goodness me, jeez. If it's a batter, it's Virat Kohli all over there. Suppose it's a bowler, 100 percent (Jasprit) Bumrah. My goodness me, can you imagine that? Can you actually imagine some Indian players, and I would be allowed to pick one? Oh my, that would be the most special thing."
"That’ll just elevate the tournament to another level. That’ll add another dimension to how significant this tournament can become if it's permissible. Imagine two - oh, imagine two per team. But we'll keep it there at one. I'll have those two players for sure - Kohli and Bumrah. If I have to pick from a batter or a bowler - 100 percent sure," Donald stated during an online discussion organized by SA20 India on Monday.
Regarding Karthik’s participation in the SA20, Donald, who serves as the assistant coach of Durban Super Giants, commented: "I think, since I've seen him come on board, I think it's awesome. It really is awesome that an absolute Indian legend - a guy who, for me, is such an intelligent cricketer. I actually really enjoy listening to him commentating. I think he's just a breath of fresh air. And it's great to see an Indian guy who's an ex-international - a guy who's had a wealth of experience in the IPL - being signed up. It'll be incredible to see him play if he does participate.
Donald, recognized globally as 'White Lightning' due to his explosive pace that unsettled batters for over a decade in international cricket post-Apartheid, mentioned that Karthik's involvement in SA20 is beneficial for young cricketers.
"Young cricketers, like everywhere in the world, are looking up to the Indian superstars, the Indian Premier League, and what it symbolizes. It's just getting bigger, better, and faster. And to have one of your own playing in the SA20 is just a masterstroke. It really is. I think it's wonderful to see. He's still a fine cricketer. You know, he can play. And I think just listening to the launch and him being around and doing his stuff over there in India and promoting the SA20 - I thought it was… He was just superb. It was great. It’d be absolutely wonderful to have him around. It'll mean a lot to the young cricketers, that is for sure," said Donald, who retired from Test cricket with 330 wickets in 72 Tests and with 272 scalps in 164 ODIs.
Post-retirement, Donald has served as a bowling coach and consultant with the England team, County Cricket Club Warwickshire and Kent, domestic teams in Zimbabwe and South Africa, as well as the national teams of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
In the IPL, he was the bowling coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011 and the bowling and head coach of Pune Warriors India in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
