AB de Villiers States Sunrisers Eastern Cape Can Achieve a Hat-Trick of SA20 Championships

New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) South African cricket icon AB de Villiers is optimistic that the Sunrisers Eastern Cape can secure a remarkable hat-trick of titles in the forthcoming third edition of the SA20 league, noting their exceptional team and coaching staff. In the realm of T20 franchise cricket, achieving a three-peat of consecutive championships is a rare accomplishment. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape, under the captaincy of Aiden Markram and the management of Adrian Birrell, will commence their season three journey against MI Cape Town at their home venue, St George's Park in Gqeberha on January 9.

“It’s quite analogous to my thoughts from last season - it's very unlikely, yet they managed to prove me wrong. It's uncommon for teams to win back-to-back titles in T20 competitions. For them to have the chance at a third consecutive title, I reiterate, it’s unlikely. However, do they possess the potential to achieve this? Absolutely.”

“They have a remarkable team with a high-caliber coaching staff. A significant acknowledgment goes to Adrian Birrell and his crew for their accomplishments over recent seasons. He is a composed, insightful coach with extensive knowledge of the game. Having coached extensively in county cricket, he brings a wealth of experience to South Africa,” de Villiers mentioned during a virtual media interaction responding to a query from IANS on Tuesday.

“In county cricket, the players engage in a considerable amount of matches. His expertise regarding handling a month-long tournament with consecutive games equips him to keep his squad steady during the highs and lows of an electrifying, fast-paced tournament - which I believe constitutes their greatest strength,” he added.

Besides Markram, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape boasts a strong lineup of South African talent including Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Ottneil Baartman, David Bedingham, Simon Harmer, Jordan Hermann, Patrick Kruger, Andile Simelane, and Roelof van der Merwe. They are also fortified with international players like Zak Crawley, Craig Overton, Tom Abell, Liam Dawson, and Richard Gleeson.

While de Villiers anticipates stern competition from teams such as Durban's Super Giants, Pretoria Capitals, Jo'burg Super Kings, Paarl Royals, and MI Cape Town in their quest to thwart the defending champions, he likens the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the five-time IPL victors Chennai Super Kings, who have triumphed five times despite not always appearing the strongest on paper.

“They embody that same resilience heading into this season. Do they seem like the most formidable team on paper? Absolutely not. There's no way they are the best team on paper. They are a competent team, yet there are teams that might appear stronger. However, we understand that it’s not the assessments on paper that determine tournament victories.”

“We have seen this in the IPL year after year. It’s not invariably the strongest team that prevails. The Chennai Super Kings exemplify this well. They seldom resemble the best team on paper, yet they consistently find a way to claim the trophy, having done so numerous times.”

“Thus, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape have the capability to achieve this. They are a remarkable group with an outstanding coaching staff. I sincerely hope they have another successful tournament. It’s always a pleasure to witness a franchise dominate; it sets a benchmark for other teams to aspire to.”

“Every competition requires a rival, and currently, I believe they are that rival. Everyone is striving to overtake them, which will motivate them to pursue a third consecutive title, and that would be extraordinary,” de Villiers elaborated.

The upcoming third season of SA20 will also witness the participation of an Indian player for the first time, with veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik joining the Paarl Royals.

As the tournament’s brand ambassador and a commentator during the first two seasons, de Villiers hopes for SA20 to progress in attracting high-caliber overseas players and expressed a desire for more Indian players to join in the six-team competition. “A significant factor behind the IPL's success over the years, which I have observed since 2008, is the continuous strengthening of the overseas contingent. The best players globally, combined with India’s finest, create exceptional cricket. Hence, I believe it is crucial for Graeme (Smith, SA20 commissioner) and his team to persistently strive for the best quality players to join.”

“The array of overseas players for this season is stronger compared to seasons one and two, signifying positive progress. I would also love to see more Indian players participating. We know Dinesh Karthik will be part of the tournament this year, which is fantastic and beneficial for the competition. Hopefully, the BCCI will permit more Indian players to join in the excitement of SA20 in the future,” de Villiers stated.

The third season of SA20, scheduled from January 9 to February 8, will be broadcast live in India on Star Sports 2, Sports18 2 (TV), and Disney+ Hotstar (Digital).